Muncie Ind. – The Cardinals picked up their first Mid-American Conference (MAC) win since September of last year, by beating Longwood (3-1) to pick up win number two on the season. The Cardinals also snapped a five-game losing streak and a six-game home losing streak.
The Cardinals attacked the striking zone early and garnered a penalty stroke, which junior Emma Van Hal scored on the one-on-one matchup giving her, her fifth goal of the season and the Cardinals an early lead. The action in the first period wasn’t over however as a grad-student defender Michaela Graney set up sophomore forward Julia Verratti to score off of a rebound on a penalty corner, to put the Cardinals up two.
Ball State garnered one more penalty corner in the second quarter, but it was unsuccessful. However, Hannah Johnston’s two saves for the period continued the shutout into halftime.
Neither team got set up with a penalty corner opportunity in the third period, but Ball State did keep the scoring going. Senior midfielder Jenna Wyckoff was in the right place at the right time when she tipped the ball in the cage to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead heading into the final quarter.
Ball State kept the momentum rolling in the fourth period with eight shot attempts, but could not capitalize on them. The Cardinals were four minutes away from a shutout until Longwood had their first and only penalty corner of the half. This allowed the Lancers to cut the lead down to two off of a goal from graduate student defender Ireland McDermott.
The Cardinals held on to their lead in the final four minutes and picked up their first home victory since October last year when they took down the Indiana Hoosiers (3-2).
Ball State is back in action as they go on the road to take on Central Michigan on Friday (Oct. 11) at 3:00 p.m.