News for 14 March 2021
All the news for Sunday 14 March 2021
Match Report. Ireland v Great Britain in Match 1 of SoftCo Series.
SoftCo Series, Queen's University Malone Playing Fields Dub Pavilion, Belfast, Northern Ireland 13/3/2021 Ireland vs Great Britain Ireland's Katie Mullan and Anna Toman of Great Britain Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
It’s been 497 days since the Irish women’s squad played their last international match on home soil, but on a cold and blustery day in Queen’s University, Belfast, the team returned to the pitch in excellent form.
Anna O’Flanagan brought a strong attacking energy from the get-go, creating several chances for Ireland in the opening quarter. A penalty corner to GB early in the first quarter was the only real opportunity to present itself for GB with Ireland the dominant team for the first half of the match. A deflection from Unsworth to Ansley was defended, with the rebound shot hitting the back board after an umpire whistle had gone keeping the sides nil all.
Upton put Ireland in the lead shortly after when a penalty stroke was award for a tackle on O’Flanagan in the circle. Grace O’Flanagan was strong in goal through the first half, with a shot from Roberston saved well. Michelle Carey and Sarah McAuley made their presence well known throughout the first quarter. GB’s Jones managed a lone run towards the Irish goal, however McAuley was on hand to push her back out in the last chance of the quarter for GB. Torrans and Carey continued to press at the opposite end of the pitch until the end of quarter buzzer.
Anna O’Flanagan was on fire again as the second quarter got underway, defending a GB attack on the Irish circle in the opening minute. Jones made another attempt to get a clear shot on the Ireland goal, however Hannah McLoughlin was on hand to keep her at bay. Lizzie Colvin provided Naomi Carroll the chance to take a reverse shot on the GB goal, which went just wide of the mark. A penalty Corner to Ireland saw a Barr deflection and Upton flick saved by Hinch. GB’s Owlsey was denied a chance as McLoughlin expertly stepped in to keep Ireland in the lead. Owsley returned again shortly after, this time managing to take a shot on the goal, and this time Carey prevented GB from getting on the score board.
The opening of the second half saw GB hit the post with a penalty stroke. It wasn’t long before GB were back along the left wing, shooting across the square with the equaliser secured from Ansley. Ireland were back attacking shortly after, with Malseed taking a reverse shot at the goal which went wide of the target.
GB were awarded a penalty corner 10minutes in to the second half, with Liz Murphy this time showing off her skill with an impressive save on the line. Malseed secured another opportunity for herself getting inside the GB circle shortly afterwards, but was defended off the goal. Upton continued to press but was forced out also.
A penalty corner to Ireland saw Carroll deflect to Matthews for a shot. The shot was saved, however the rebound resulted in a scuffle for the ball with Evans getting the ball across the goal to be tapped in although the umpire’s whistle had already gone.
Robertson secured the final goal of the game in the opening minute of the final quarter, giving GB the lead. GB became the more dominant of the two teams as the final quarter unfolded, creating more and more opportunities for themselves. Despite this, Ireland remained strong with O’Flanagan, Carey, and Hawkshaw all continuing to create chances near the GB circle.
Speaking after the match, Captain Katie Mullan said “It’s always a tight game [with GB], and we’ve come away a number of times thinking we should have won, and today would maybe be one of those days, where split second decisions where we’ve switched off and they’ve punished us. That’s what they do so well, and you just can’t afford to give them those opportunities in international hockey, so we’ve got to go back to the drawing board and learn from those tomorrow.”
The second match of the series takes place tomorrow at 17:00. Coverage starts from 16:30 on RTE2, and 16:50 on BBC Sport NI.
Ireland 1 (Upton), Great Britain 2 (Owsley, Roberston).
Ireland: G O’Flanagan; S McCay; S McAuley; H Matthews; K Mullan; R Upton; S Hawkshaw; L Colvin; N Evans; A O’Flanagan; N Carroll; L Murphy; H McLoughlin; B Barr; M Frazer; M Carey; Z Malseed; S Torrans.
GB: J Hunter, S Jones; S Robertson; S Evans; I Petter; S McCallin; S Townsend; L Owsley; L Unsworth; F Crackles; L Wilkinson; G Balsdon; G Ansley; H Pearne-Webb; A Toman; M Hinch.
Irish Hockey Association media release
Great Britain take opening honours against Ireland
Lilly Owsley proved a class act PIC: England Hockey
Giselle Ansley, returning to the side for the first time since late 2019, missed a penalty stroke before carving Ireland’s defence apart with a 50-metre pass for Great Britain’s winner on Saturday. In the opening match of the series in Belfast, GB women were also led from the front by Lily Owsley’s superb display in a 2-1 win.
Great Britain had to negotiate a tricky wind and a dogged Ireland side on the Queen’s University pitch as they got better with each quarter to taste a first international success of the year, albeit in a friendly, uncapped match.
A bright Irish start saw the Green Army negate GB’s attacks with solid defence – newbie Sarah Maculey was particularly impressive – while holding a high press. It resulted in the opener as Anna O’Flanagan was felled by Maddie Hinch and Roisin Upton slotted home.
After the break, Sarah Jones won a stroke for GB before Liz Murphy deflected Ansley’s spot shot.
A few minutes later, the equaliser came after fine interchanging between Sarah Evans, Owsley and Sarah Robertson. It was left to Owsley to slot home and put GB in the ascendancy into the fourth quarter.
The winner came when Ansley, on the left, cracked a long pass into the Irish circle, Robertson turned on to her reverse and drove low past the advancing Murphy.
The second game takes place on Sunday at 5pm.
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The Hockey Paper
Olympic champions fight back to beat hosts 2-1 in Belfast opener
Anna O'Flanagan produced a typically dynamic display for the hosts in Belfast
Olympic champions Great Britain fought back to beat Ireland 2-1 in game one of the three-match series in Belfast.
Roisin Upton's seventh-minute penalty stroke put the hosts ahead after Great Britain keeper Maddie Hinch had brought down the lively Anna O'Flanagan.
The Irish remained ahead at the break but the outstanding Lily Owsley levelled early in the second half.
As GB took control, Sarah Robertson hit the winner early in the final quarter after a superb Giselle Ansley pass.
The visitors had little difficulty in managing the game in the closing minutes at a windy Queen's University despite losing Laura Unsworth for two minutes following her green card.
Series part of Olympic build-up
With both squads using their series as a crucial part of their preparations for the EuroHockey Championships and Olympic Games, Ireland made a lively start with Naomi Carroll putting the ball in the British net early on, only for the umpire to rule out the effort.
The first of a series of Owsley runs deep into Irish territory then led to a GB penalty corner but Unsworth failed to get full purchase on the shot, with Grace O'Flanagan making a comfortable save.
The Irish keeper's cousin Anna O'Flanagan immediately earned Ireland's penalty stroke at the other end as she was upended by Hinch and Upton hammered the resultant shot to the roof of the net.
But after their somewhat sluggish start, the Olympic champions began to take control with Hannah McLaughlin and Michelle Carey having to make last-ditch interventions to halt further Owsley bursts.
As they remained in arrears at half-time, Ansley missed a penalty stroke after the game had restarted amid a downpour as her effort shaved the outside of the post but within a couple of minutes the visitors were deservedly on terms as Owsley finished from close range.
A rare Irish attack saw a penalty-corner chance late in the third quarter but Upton's effort was blocked and it was no big surprise when the British dominance yielded Robertson's winner after Ansley's long pass from inside her own half early in the final quarter.
A game of two halves - Mullan
Ireland captain Katie Mullan felt the contest had been a "game of two halves" as the hosts lost impetus following their fast start.
"I think we controlled and moved the ball really well in the first half and we were disappointed with our second-half performance," said the Coleraine woman, who added that the Irish will be determined to produce an improvement in Sunday's second encounter.
"It's always a really close battle against GB. Split seconds where you switch off and they punish you and that's exactly what happened in the second half."
Great Britain's Ansley was delighted to be back in action for her country after being ruled out since the Olympic qualifiers in 2019 following Achilles surgery.
"I've been back in training with the girls since January so I've had time to get back involved," said Ansley.
"The first half showed we were a bit off it but we picked it up in the second half."
Ansley played down her contribution to Great Britain's final-quarter winner.
"That was all down to Sarah (Robertson). She finished it nicely. I just spotted her in the distance and thought I'd go for it."
After Sunday's second match in the series, the sides will meet again on Tuesday at the Queen's University venue.
BBC Sport
THT a different ball game for UniKL
By Jugjet Singh
UniKL’s Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (2nd-left) in action against Tenaga Nasional during the Charity Shield match at National Stadium Bukit Jalil, on March 12. - NSTP/MOHAMAD SHAHRIL BADRI SAALI
Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) scraped through with one point from the Charity Shield, but they can't hope for Lady Luck again when they play Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) today.
UniKL had 78 per cent possession, as compared to Tenaga Nasional's 22 per cent, but still could not score in regulation time in the Charity Shield on Friday.
And even during the shootout, Shahril Saabah disputed his disallowed goal which could have made a difference for Tenaga.
Tenaga and UniKL ended the shoot-out 3-3, and only in sudden death did the university side confirm the successful defence of their Charity Shield.
"A goal which I scored during 60 minutes of play was disallowed and I don't dispute the back-stick (when he took a reverse shot) decision blown by the umpire. He was right.
"However, during the shootout, my reverse stick goal was disallowed because it was deemed as another back-stick attempt.
"The umpire was right there in front of me but blew for back-stick.
"For me and my teammates, it was a legit goal (which could have changed the outcome of the match)," said Shahril Saabah.
THT coach K. Rajan's men hammered Sabah 11-0 amid heavy rain, but they can't expect a happy time against League champions UniKL.
"Frankly speaking, I am quite shocked with the high scoring game against Sabah as they did 'park the bus' for long spells, and we failed to score off penalty corners but the field goals came in.
"Against UniKL we can't take the same attacking approach as both teams are of equal strength.
"We will give them due respect, try to convert our chances and minimise mistakes in the semi-circle.
"This is a one-round tournament and no team who desire the League title can afford to drop points in any match," said Rajan.
Faizal Shaari, who scored four goals against Sabah, said: "Forget the 11-0 win, I demand an even better performance from my teammates in the next matches to keep the League title in sight."
New Straits Times
MATE partner with Adelaide Fire
Hockey SA is delighted to announce internet and mobile provider MATE as Adelaide Fire’s Major Partner for the up-and-coming Hockey One season due to start in October. MATE will also become the exclusive naming rights partner of the State Hockey Centre, to be called ‘MATE Stadium’. The announcement is a huge boost for the Adelaide Fire off the back of the League’s 2021 season fixture launch earlier in the week.
MATE is a proudly 100% Australian owned and operated NBN internet and mobile service provider with a strong passion for seeing grassroots and professional sport thrive in Australia. MATE is excited to partner with Hockey SA and the Fire in 2021 and look forward to forging a longstanding relationship with the sport of Hockey.
‘We have bold ambitions for Adelaide Fire over the next four years, both on and off field. To kick off 2021 with a major partnership with an award-winning company such as MATE puts us in a strong position’ Andrew Skillern, Hockey SA, CEO.
As part of the major partnership, MATE’s logo will take pride and place on the back of the Adelaide Fire players playing jerseys in 2021 (see picture above). MATE will also receive significant signage as part of the Adelaide Fire’s home matches, along with a premium presence across both Hockey SA and Adelaide Fire’s media channels in 2021.
An excited General Manager of MATE Mark Fazio (pictured) explained that ‘we love the opportunity to partner with a sport that provides equal opportunities to both male and female athletes. It is fantastic to align with Hockey SA and Adelaide Fire who have their feet both in grassroots and high-performance sport across the state.
This partnership also resonates with MATE’s core strategy, being an underdog that competes against the big guys on a national scale. We have built our business from the ground up, taking market share from the big players in the telco space. Competitive spirit and determination to succeed are at the heart of what we do, and this is exactly what we see in Hockey and Adelaide Fire.
To find out more about MATE and the amazing broadband and mobile deals they offer, visit the MATE website below.
https://www.letsbemates.com.au/
@BeOurMate – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
Adelaide Fire #ADL #FireUp
Facebook: Adelaide Fire | Twitter: @AdelaideFireH1 | Instagram: @AdelaideFireH1
Sultana Bran Hockey One League Media release
Nominations received for FIH President and EB Members elections
Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) can now confirm the nominations received by the deadline of 12 March (midnight CET) for the following positions to be elected at the 47th FIH Statutory Congress scheduled to take place in Delhi, India, on 22 May 2021:
For the position of FIH President:
Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, IND (candidate for re-election)
Marc Coudron, BEL
For the positions of Executive Board (EB) Ordinary Member:
Female Members (2 positions):
o Danae Andrada, URU (candidate for re-election)
o Hazel Kennedy, ZAM (candidate for re-election)
o Inez Cooper, IRL
Male Members (2 positions):
o Erik Cornelissen, NED (candidate for re-election)
o Tayyab Ikram, MAC (candidate for re-election)
o Ediga Bede Agbo, NGR
In accordance with the FIH Regulations, the nominations will now be submitted to the FIH Elections Oversight Panel (EOP) by FIH CEO Thierry Weil. The aim of the EOP is to ensure that the FIH elections are carried out in a fair and transparent manner consistent with the FIH Statutes, Integrity Code, Elections Manual and General Regulations. Any nomination has to be approved by the EOP before being validated.
The mandates of the President and EB members who will be elected on 22 May 2021 will run until the 2024 FIH Congress.
The FIH Executive Board consists of:
- The FIH President;
- Eight Ordinary members - four female and four male Members -, one half being renewed every two years;
- An Athletes’ Representative;
- The Presidents of the Continental Federations;
- The FIH CEO;
- Any (non-voting) member co-opted onto the Executive Board pursuant to Article 7.1(c) of the FIH Statutes.
For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website.
FIH site
Coudron to challenge Batra for FIH Presidency in May election
By Geoff Berkeley
Marc Coudron is standing against IHF President Narinder Batra ©Getty Images
Royal Belgian Hockey Association (KBHB) President Marc Coudron has launched a bid to replace India’s Narinder Batra as the head of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The FIH has confirmed Coudron will stand against incumbent Batra after declaring his candidacy before yesterday’s deadline.
Coudron and Batra are set to fight it out in the next Presidential election which is scheduled to take place at the FIH Statutory Congress in Delhi in India on May 22.
insidethegames exclusively revealed last month that Batra would stand for a second term as President after issuing a letter to the organisation’s membership to declare his re-election bid.
Batra, who is head of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has led the FIH since 2016.
But Batra will now have to overcome the challenge of Coudron to retain his place at the helm.
Coudron remains Belgian’s most-capped international hockey player of all time, having made 358 appearances for his country.
The 51-year-old has also played a key role in helping to put Belgium on the Olympic stage and challenge for medals after becoming the head of KBHB in 2005.
Under his leadership, Belgium’s men’s team qualified for the Games for the first time in 32 years at Beijing 2008 before winning silver at Rio 2016 and clinching gold at the European Championships in 2019.
The women’s team also made their Olympic debut at London 2012.
Indian Olympic Committee President Narinder Batra has been head of the International Hockey Federation since 2016 ©Getty Images
With his presidency at KBHB due to finish in June, Coudron is now hoping to secure the top job at the FIH.
"During the corona crisis I thought about my future and after sixteen beautiful years at the KBHB I still feel the passion and desire to put myself at the service of hockey," Coudron is reported as saying by Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
"I feel ready to take this step."
Batra, who was up for re-election last year before the FIH Congress was postponed over the coronavirus pandemic - has been accused of not dedicating enough time to the position as his critics believe he has prioritised his IOA role, which is linked to his IOC membership.
But Coudron refused to be drawn into criticism of Batra.
"You won't hear me say anything about his way of working," said Coudron.
"I respect him.
"Just like me, Batra has a great passion for hockey.
"Of course I have a different approach in some areas.
"I have my project and if I am elected I will do everything I can to further develop hockey worldwide.
"Our sport has to be back to the roots and back to the people.
"Hockey should not only be regarded as a top sport, we must get millions of people worldwide to play hockey.
"The further development of the sport is paramount.
"Hockey is not only played on the field, the framework must also be top-notch."
Belgium's men's national team have gone from strength to strength during Marc Coudron's time in charge of the Royal Belgian Hockey Association ©Getty Images
The FIH also confirmed Uruguay’s Danae Andrada, Zambia’s Hazel Kennedy, Erik Cornelissen of The Netherlands and Macau’s Tayyab Ikram will seek re-election for positions on the Executive Board.
Ireland’s Inez Cooper and Nigeria’s Ediga Bede Agbo are also among the six nominees for four posts.
Two of those elected to the Executive Board must be women, and two must be men.
FIH chief executive Thierry Weil is now set to submit the nominations to the FIH Elections Oversights Panel (EOP).
"The aim of the EOP is to ensure that the FIH elections are carried out in a fair and transparent manner consistent with the FIH statutes, integrity code, elections manual and general regulations," a statement from the FIH read.
"Any nomination has to be approved by the EOP before being validated."
The winner of the election will serve as President until 2024 after the FIH shortened the second term from four years to three following the postponement of the 2020 Congress.
Inside the Games
Narinder Batra files his nomination for re-election as FIH President
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief, who became FIH president in 2016, had revealed his re-election bid in a letter to the FIH Congress on February 18.
The FIH Congress was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, handing Batra an extended first term- PTI
Seeking re-election as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) president, incumbent Narinder Batra filed his nomination ahead of the governing body's 47th Statutory Congress, scheduled in Delhi on May 22.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief Batra, who became FIH president in 2016, had revealed his re-election bid in a letter to the FIH Congress on February 18.
The FIH confirmed receiving nominations from Batra and other office-bears of the sport's apex body within the March 12 deadline.
"In accordance with the FIH Regulations, the nominations will now be submitted to the FIH Elections Oversight Panel (EOP) by FIH CEO Thierry Weil," the global sports body said in a release.
"The aim of the EOP is to ensure that the FIH elections are carried out in a fair and transparent manner consistent with the FIH Statutes, Integrity Code, Elections Manual and General Regulations. Any nomination has to be approved by the EOP before being validated.
"The mandates of the President and EB members who will be elected on 22 May 2021 will run until the 2024 FIH Congress.
The FIH Congress was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, handing Batra an extended first term.
Last month, in his letter to the Congress, Batra had said he has done all he can to develop the game globally.
"In 2016, you gave me your trust in electing me as the 12th President of the International Hockey Federation.
"In the last four years, I have done my best and put all my energy to enable FIH to fulfil its missions - in particular the development of hockey globally -- add new objectives and steadily improve its management for the good of hockey," Batra had written.
"...The experience of the last five years, coupled with your numerous encouragements and my strong dedication, have convinced me that I should make myself available to pursue my mission at the helm of the FIH," added the 63-year-old, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The nominations for the president's post were opened on February 12 and ended on March 12.
The next president will hold the office until 2024 as the FIH has reduced the term from four to three years due to deferment of the Congress last year.
Nominations for various posts: For the position of President: Narinder Batra (India), Marc Coudron (Belgium)
For the positions of Executive Board (EB) Ordinary Member: Female Members (2 positions): Danae Andrada, (Uruguay), Hazel Kennedy (Zambia), Inez Cooper (Ireland) Male Members (2 positions): Erik Cornelissen (The Netherlands), Tayyab Ikram (Macau), Ediga Bede Agbo (Nigeria).
Sportstar
Two goals from Erin Matson propel UNC field hockey to 2-0 win over Wake Forest
By Madi Kirkman
Junior forward Erin Matson (1) scored the second goal of the ACC Semifinal game against Syracuse. The Tar Heels won 4-3 in overtime on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. Photo by Cynthia Liu | The Daily Tar Heel
Two first quarter goals from junior forward Erin Matson lifted the North Carolina field hockey team (12-1, 4-1 ACC) to a 2-0 win over Wake Forest (4-9, 1-1 ACC) in the second game of the spring season.
What happened?
The Demon Deacons started with high pressure on the Tar Heels, but the UNC defense held them off successfully. Matson scored seven minutes into the first quarter off an assist from first-year midfielder Kiersten Thomassey to give North Carolina a 1-0 lead.
Wake Forest was awarded a penalty corner with five minutes left in the first quarter, but UNC senior goalkeeper Amanda Hendry recorded a save. UNC then jumped into its counter attack, which allowed Matson to score her second goal of the day.
“We were very opportunistic and very dangerous and fast on the counter attack,” head coach Karen Shelton said. “We made them pay.”
Matson had another shot in the second quarter that went wide, and neither team could score again before halftime.
Three minutes into the third quarter, sophomore midfielder Paityn Wirth had a wide shot. Later in the quarter, Wake Forest was set to take another penalty corner, but the call was overturned. First-year Katie Dixon had a shot with four minutes left that was saved by Wake Forest goalkeeper Tori Glaister.
In the fourth quarter, Matson recorded another two shots early, one that was saved by Glaister. North Carolina then scored off a penalty corner, but the shot was ruled too high. North Carolina had shots from four different players in the quarter, but none could find the back of the cage.
The Tar Heels had another penalty corner with five minutes left in the game, but Thomassey’s shot was blocked. Wake Forest had one more missed shot attempt in the final minute before North Carolina preserved the shutout victory.
Who stood out?
Both of North Carolina’s first quarter goals were scored by Matson, who had seven shots in total. She now has 17 goals this season.
“She’s a special player,” Shelton said. “And had two opportunities and canned them both right off the bat.”
Matson's two goals gave her 70 for her career, which gives her sole possession of fourth place on UNC's career scoring list.
When was it decided?
The Tar Heels scored two goals early and the defense held the lead for the remainder of the game. Though Wake Forest seemed to dominate possession in the first quarter, after UNC took the lead, the Demon Deacons could not create enough opportunities to stage a comeback.
Why does it matter?
This game allowed North Carolina to build momentum after its opening victory against Louisville.
“We looked at the video tape and there were several things that we worked on in practice during the week,” Shelton said. “We wanted to implement them in this game, and I think we did that.”
It also allowed the Tar Heels to continue their strong start to the spring season after coming off an ACC Championship win in the fall.
When do they play next?
North Carolina will take on Boston College on Friday, March 19 at 2 p.m. at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill.
The Daily Tar Heel
Dembrowski’s Two Goals Propel Field Hockey to 3-2 Win Over Liberty
Senior forward Jessica Dembrowski scored twice and sophomore back Claire Jandewerth netted her third goal of the season as the University of Connecticut field hockey team defeated Liberty, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. The Huskies, who handed the Flames their first loss of the year, improved to 4-0 on the year while Liberty slips to 7-1.
The two teams will square-off again tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in the City of Brotherly Love.
UConn took a lead it would not relinquish just 1:41 into the contest on Dembrowski's first goal, which marked her third goal of the season.
The Huskies increased their lead to 2-0 at 16:03 when Sophie Hamilton broke loose and controlled the ball deep in the Liberty circle. She struck a shot that was ticketed for the back of the net but a Flames defender jumped in the way and blocked the shot illegally.
That sequence set up a penalty stroke by Claire Jandewerth that she slipped by the left hand of the Liberty keeper.
After the Flames got on the board midway through the third quarter, UConn goalkeeper Cheyenne Sprecher made a great save minutes later to preserve the one-goal lead when she swatted away a shot off a Liberty penalty corner. Sprecher ended the afternoon by turning away eight of Liberty's 10 shots on goal.
Dembrowski's second score came after Vivienne Tucker found her in the circle and she was able to tip it past Liberty goaltender Irigoyen Iritxity with just over three-minutes remaining in regulation to give UConn some insurance.
The Huskies outshot the Flames 19-11 and held a commanding 12-5 advantage in penalty corners.
UConn Huskies
Field Hockey Closes Out Two-Game MAC Series At App State With 1-0 Loss
BOONE, N. C. - In its second game of a two-game Mid-American Conference series at App State, the Ball State field hockey team fell 1-0 Saturday afternoon at Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field. With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in league action while the Mountaineers improved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in MAC play.
It comes to no surprise that today's contest would be similar to Friday's as both teams battled defensively the entire 60 minute duration. The only thing that was different today was the outcome.
In the first five minutes of the game, Ball State was giving two opportunities to take an early lead after newcomer Paloma Gomez Rengifo had the first shot of the day for both teams but App State's goalie would get the save.
Minutes later a corner was awarded to BSU which gave redshirt senior Rachel Pereira's an opportunity to score but unfortunately it went wide.
The remainder of the first period was a long-heated battle as both teams remained scoreless.
App State found the back of the net late in the second quarter after scoring off of a deflection which gave the Mountaineers a 1-0 edge over the Cardinals at intermission.
Ball State's defense came out hot in the third and fourth quarters and were able to keep the Mountaineer's from widening the score.
But unfortunately for the Cardinals' they struggled offensively the remainder of the game which eventually led to App State's victory.
The Mountaineers outshot Ball State 7-3 today. For the second straight contest, sophomore goalie Wietske Overdijkink led both teams with a total of four saves. Overdijkink now has 66 total saves for her career.
The Cardinals will return to the Briner Sports Complex to host Ohio for a pair of Mid-American Conference weekend games starting Friday, March 19 at 1 p.m. ET and then again Saturday, March 20 also at 1 p.m. ET.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State field hockey team, please follow @BallStateSports, @CoahBERNbsu and @BallStateFH on Instagram and Twitter.
Ball State Sports
Disability no deterrent for this passionate, budding hockey player
Class VI student Neeraj Kumar joins Surjit Hockey Academy; honoured with sports kit for his spirited move.
If you have the passion to play a sport, then being disabled may not be an obstacle.
Neeraj Kumar, who joined the Surjit Hockey Academy as a hockey player on Saturday, despite his disability, was encouraged with these words upon the start of his professional training.
A Class VI student of a government school in Kabir Nagar, Neera’s one arm does not work since childhood. Hailing from a poor family, the boy reached the ground in the morning session on Saturday and expressed his desire to play hockey. Secretary general of Surjit Hockey Society Iqbal Singh Sandhu inducted him in the academy.
Chief coach of Surjit Hockey Academy Olympian Rajinder Singh (Dronacharya Awardee) and director (training) of the academy Surinder Singh Bhapa also welcomed the specially-abled player Neeraj Kumar and gave him a sports kit, including new hockey, track suit and other equipment.
Sandhu said: “The boy kept watching players for some time and came to me. He told me that he had come to the area for massage his arm, when he saw the boys playing and felt like joining them.”
Sandhu said: “The boy seemed spirited and I feel that Neeraj will be a source of inspiration for other hockey players in the practice session in the times to come. Our approach is not just creating players of top level, but also bringing up the underprivileged and bring equality in the mainstream.” The onlookers saluted the spirit of the disabled player.
The Tribune