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News for 11 April 2021

All the news for Sunday 11 April 2021

2020 FIH Pro League (Men) - 11 April
Cenard, Buenos Aires


10 Apr 2021     ARG v IND (RR)   2 - 2 (S/O 2 - 3)
11 Apr 2021 17:00 (GMT -3)     ARG v IND (RR)

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Live streaming and full game replay on the Watch Hockey App (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Pool Standings

Rank Team Played Wins SO Win SO Loss Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Belgium 13 9 2 1 1 40 22 18 32
2 Germany 8 5 2 0 1 22 15 7 19
3 Netherlands 11 4 2 2 3 28 29 -1 18
4 Australia 8 3 1 3 1 27 20 7 14
5 India 7 2 3 0 2 19 20 2 12
6 Argentina 11 2 1 3 5 26 32 -6 11
7 New Zealand 8 2 1 0 5 15 25 -10 8
8 Spain 10 2 0 1 7 21 32 -11 7
9 Great Britain 8 1 0 2 5 13 19 -6 5

FIH Match Centre



India fightback claims bonus point against Argentina in Buenos Aires



India’s Harmanpreet Singh scored a dramatic equaliser with just six seconds of the match remaining before his team won the shoot-out  against reigning Olympic champions Argentina, claiming a bonus point in the first of two FIH Hockey Pro League encounters in Buenos Aires this weekend.

In a thrilling, action-packed contest between two evenly matched opponents, it was Harmanpreet who gave India a 1-0 lead with a superbly executed penalty corner early in the second quarter before a quick-fire double from Martin Ferreiro put Los Leones into a 2-1 lead at half time.

Argentina held onto their lead until the dying seconds of the match, when Harmanpreet stepped up to the mark to tie the scores with a second-phase penalty corner to ensure that the game finished with the scores locked at 2-2.

The draw guaranteed a point for each team, but it was the visitors who would walk away with the bonus point thanks largely to some brilliant goalkeeping from PR Sreejesh, who did enough to deny Lucas Vila, Martin Ferreiro and Ignacio Ortiz before Dilpreet Singh sealed a 3-2 win in the one-on-ones with a cool finish against veteran Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi.

The result sees India move ahead of Argentina up to fifth in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings, having claimed 12 points from seven matches. Argentina sit sixth, with 11 points from 11 games played.

I think the most important thing from today is that we never gave up”, said India’s Harmanpreet, who was named Player of the Match. “We were fighting until the last minute, and that is why we got a result here.”

When asked about what his team need to improve on in Sunday’s second meeting, Harmanpreet said: “We got lots of cards today, so I think we need to improve on that. We need to keep that in mind so in the next match, we don’t get any cards.”

More information on the game can be found by clicking here.

The two teams will face each other again on Sunday (11 April).

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

FIH Hockey Pro League - Men
Saturday 10 April 2021 – Buenos Aires (ARG)

Argentina 2, India 2 (2-3 After Shoot-Out) [Match 1 of 2]
Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Singh (IND)
Umpires: German Montes de Oca (ARG), Carolina de la Fuente (ARG) and Irene Presenqui (ARG - video)

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Official FIH Pro League Site



India grab bonus point against Argentina after Harmanpreet's last gasp equaliser

S2H Team


Harmanpreet Singh was awarded the Player of the Match accolade

India pulled it out of the fire before winning in the FIH Pro League against Argentina in their return to competitive international hockey in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Playing after a 14-month Covid-induced layoff, India grabbed a bonus point after hauling the match into the shootout with a goal from a penalty corner by two-goal Harmanpreet Singh a mere six seconds from the end to make it 2-2.

India scored both goals when a man short, having shot into the lead in the 21st minute through a fluent drag-flick by Harmanpreet when Hardik Singh was sitting out a yellow. Even in the shootout, India trailed 0-2 but rallied to win 3-2 after Dilpreet Singh recomposed himself for a successful retake despite having the ball in Juan Vivaldi’s goal.

The youngster, coolness personified, made no mistake. He got around the experienced Vivaldi to slot into goal and bring up a commendable Indian victory that now takes his team to fifth spot in the table, one rung above Argentina who collected a point from the draw.

India have 12 points from seven matches, Argentina are sixth with 11 from as many games. Belgium (32 from 13), Germany (19/ 8), Netherlands (18/11) and Australia (14/8) occupy the first four places in that order.


India and Argentina played out an exciting match in the Pro League. Photo: FIH

Harmanpreet’s rescue act followed a fine run by captain Manpreet Singh to force India’s fourth and last penalty corner. However, it could well have been Martin Ferreiro celebrating a hat-trick and probably an Argentine outright victory only moments earlier but the goal was disallowed for ‘back-stick’ by Diego Paz who laid the pass.

The lively passage of play occurred amid a flurry of yellow cards that created a 9 vs 10 battle. Argentina had Matias Rey sitting out out a yellow but held the numerical advantage with Varun Kumar and Mandeep Singh also suspended.

For all their chasing of the game towards the end, it was India in the driver’s seat with a goal in the 21st minute, courtesy Harmanpreet’s fluent drag flick that beat the running double block that the Argentines utilized during the four penalty corners they defended.

It brought up the sturdy defender’s 69th goal in 118 appearances for his country. But Argentina, quick on the break, posed problems for the Indian defence and Ferreiro grabbed the match by the scruff with a brace in the 28th and 30th minutes.

He first fired in a unbeatable back-hander that gave Sreejesh no chance. Then, he grabbed the rebound off the first runner during the first penalty corner that Argentina earned and rifled in between the custodian’s outstretched right foot and the post.

Argentina dominated the early minutes of the third quarter, forcing two more penalty corners and India, attempting to regain the initiative, were foiled by the 41-year-old Vivaldi during their second penalty corner. The visitors went close to equalizing when Lalit Upadyay’s shot wide in the 46th minute but as chances fell at either end, yellow cards in the last five minutes added a touch of drama.

Varun Kumar first was sent to the sin bin with five minutes remaining and with the full time approaching Mandeep joined him while Lopez of Argentina was also shown the yellow.

Nicolas Keenan and Lucas Martinez scored from Argentina’s first two shootout attempts but Lucas Vila, Ferreiro and Ignacio Ortiz failed to overcome a brilliant Sreejesh.

Harmanpreet, like Ferreiro, failed to add to regulation time heroics but Lalit and Rupinder scored. Shamsher Singh missed his attempt and with the scores 2-2, Dilpreet provided the winning touch with the final shootout attempt.

I think the most important thing from today is that we never gave up”, said India’s Harmanpreet, who was named Player of the Match. “We were fighting until the last minute, and that is why we got a result here.”

When asked about what his team need to improve on in Sunday’s second meeting, Harmanpreet said: “We got lots of cards today, so I think we need to improve on that. We need to keep that in mind so in the next match, we don’t get any cards.”

The teams meet again on Sunday at the same time, 1.30am IST.

FIH Hockey Pro League – Men
Saturday 10 April 2021 – Buenos Aires (ARG)

Argentina 2, India 2 (2-3 After Shoot-Out) [Match 1 of 2]
Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Singh (IND)
Umpires: German Montes de Oca (ARG), Carolina de la Fuente (ARG) and Irene Presenqui (ARG – video)

Stick2Hockey.com



Harmanpreet’s brilliance, Sreejesh’s grit fetches India bonus point in shootout win over Argentina

The result meant India consolidated their fifth position in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings


Harmanpreet Singh. File photo

The Indian men’s hockey team snatched a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Olympic champions Argentina after Harmanpreet Singh kept the side afloat in regulation time with his two goals in the action-packed first game of their FIH Pro League tie here.

In an engrossing contest between two evenly-matched teams, it was Harmanpreet (21st minute) who gave India a 1-0 lead with a superbly executed penalty corner early in the second quarter before a quick-fire double from Martin Ferreiro (28th, 30th) put Los Leones into a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Argentina held onto their lead until the dying seconds of the match, when Harmanpreet (60th) stepped up to the mark to tie the scores with a second-phase penalty corner for the visitors, who were playing their first Pro League match after more than a year.

The draw guaranteed a point for each team, but it was the tourists who walked away with the bonus point, thanks largely to some brilliant goalkeeping by PR Sreejesh.

As per the event’s rules, the team winning the shoot-out also walks away with the bonus point.

Sreejesh denied Lucas Vila, Martin Ferreiro and Ignacio Ortiz before Dilpreet Singh sealed a 3-2 win in the one-on-ones with a cool finish against veteran Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi.

The result meant India consolidated their fifth position in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings with 12 points from seven matches. Argentina are placed sixth, with 11 points from as many games.

Harmanpreet was deservedly declared player-of-the-match.

“I think the most important thing was that we never gave up,” Harmanpreet said.

“We were fighting until the last minute, and that is why we got a result here.”    

Asked what his team needs to improve on for the second game to be played later in the day, Harmanpreet said: “We got lots of cards today, so I think we need to improve on that. We need to keep that in mind so in the next match, we don’t get any cards.”       

The two teams will face each other again on Sunday.

The Tribune



Never-say-die India beat Argentina in a shootout on Hockey Pro League return

By Ali Iveson


Dilpreet Singh scored the winning penalty shuffe ©Getty Images

India scored an equaliser with just six seconds remaining and then beat Olympic champions Argentina in a shootout to cap a successful return to Hockey Pro League action.

The game in Buenos Aires was the Indian men's first for 14 months, while Argentina were seeking to bounce back from two defeats versus Germany last weekend.

The visitors took the lead on 21 minutes despite being down to 10 players at the time, as Harmanpreet Singh converted from a short corner.

Argentina responded admirably and Martin Ferreiro scored twice in the space of two minutes to give them a 2-1 lead at the interval.

Ferreiro thought he had completed his hat-trick in the closing minute, but the goal was overturned after India reviewed, and that would prove decisive as they promptly went up the other end to score.

India won back-to-back short corners and Harmanpreet converted the second with just six seconds left on the clock to take the game to a shootout.


Martin Ferreiro scored twice for Argentina, yet ended up on the losing side ©Getty Images

Both Harmanpreet and Ferreiro were unsuccessful in the shootout, which mimicked regular time as it saw India stage an improbably comeback.

Argentina went 2-0 up, but failed to convert their next three chances and that opened the door for India, who won thanks to Lalit Upadhyay, Rupinder Singh and Dilpreet Singh all scoring.

India now have 12 points from seven games and are fifth in the Pro League standings - a point and a place better off than Los Leones.

The teams are due to play again at the National Center of High Performance Athletics tomorrow.

Inside the Games



2021 Test matches AUT v SUI - 11 April
Wiener Neudorf (AUT)

Men

10 Apr 2021     AUT v SUI     2 - 0
11 Apr 2021 12:00 (GMT +2)     AUT v SUI

Women

10 Apr 2021     AUT v SUI     3 - 0
11 Apr 2021 10:00 (GMT +2)     AUT v SUI

FIH Match Centre



Japan aims to raise hockey profile at Tokyo Olympics

Tokyo 2020 has launched its ‘Let’s 55 Virtual Experience’, a project that aims to showcase what it looks and feels like as a top-level athlete. The project aims to cover all 55 sports on the Tokyo 2020 Games programme.

As far as hockey goes, Samurai Japan’s Ohashi Masaki spoke to Tokyo 2020 on how he started in the sport and what makes hockey so appealing

“When I was in second grade my brother asked me to come with him, and that’s when I started playing hockey. I’m 27 now so I’ve been playing for twenty years. When I was a kid, there was a local lifting competition and I wanted to win, so I started practising every day.

“I remember how much I enjoyed trying to lift the ball with my hockey stick one time more than the previous day. Thanks to all those days practicing, I acquired good ball control and can maneuver the ball and the stick better. Try lifting for yourself! It will definitely improve your skills.

“Of course I would like us to win the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, but I also hope the Games would help promote hockey as well. ‘Samurai Japan’ is known for great teamwork.

“Whether it’s defence or offence, the whole team participates and supports each other. Rather than dribbling your way forward in offence, we pass the ball around. In defence, if the opponent dribbles past one of our guys, there’s always another guy, then a third guy trying to stop him. I hope everybody will notice how we work as a team.”

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The Hockey Paper



Australia hockey’s Olympics prep hit by pandemic



Picking an outright winner for the Olympics just got a whole lot harder.

Australia’s build-up to the Tokyo Olympics has suffered another dent with the news that their European trip in May will not go ahead.

Whoever wins gold in the men’s hockey will of course have to play the best tournament hockey in this one-off summer. Belgium are outright favourites but the form guide has been torn up by virtue of not being able to see those players in form and the probability that what we are seeing in the Pro League not reflecting performances at the Olympics, with teams holding back on tactics and routines.

European teams will have the luxury of a EuroHockey to contend with before they taper ahead of Tokyo. For other nations, the task is a different matter.

Take Australia, China and New Zealand, whose Pro League matches have all been put on hold due to international travel restrictions, adding to the months they have already had to contend with no meaningful elite matches, bar intra-squad clashes.

The upcoming Pro League double headers between Australia and New Zealand will also not go ahead as originally scheduled on the ANZAC Day weekend (April 24/25) in Perth.

Australia’s national teams will also not travel for matches against Spain, Holland and Germany, all planned for next month.

Hockey Australia is optimistic about playing against New Zealand at some stage following New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement that New Zealand will allow Australians to enter the country without mandatory quarantine from April 19.

Hockey Australia, Hockey New Zealand and the FIH are working together to bring their FIH Pro League tilt to life in 2021 for what are proving to be increasingly crucial hit outs in preparation for the Olympics.

The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos have not played an international match since March 7 last year.

“The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos have shown phenomenal resilience and adaptability in continuing their preparations for Tokyo without any international matches in over a year,” said Hockey Australia chief Matt Favier.

“This lead up to an Olympics is unprecedented and it is too much of a risk sending teams to Europe this far out from the Games.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and the possibilities of playing any internationals knowing how critical they are for our national teams.

“We are hopeful they will have the opportunity to play on home soil again before they head to Tokyo in July.”

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The Hockey Paper



Bethany Barr: Ireland star joins injured squad absentees for Tokyo Olympics


Bethany Barr in action in Ireland's tense Olympic play-off against Canada in November 2019

Ireland women's hockey squad has been dealt another injury blow for the upcoming Olympics after Bethany Barr was ruled out.

Barr suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in training earlier this week and joins her twin sister Serena and Zoe Wilson on the sidelines because of the same type of injury.

An ACL normally has a recovery period of between eight and 12 months.

Barr made her Ireland debut against Chile in Santiago in January 2019.

She helped Ireland qualify for a first Olympics by scoring a crucial goal in the shoot-out win over Canada in November of the same year.

There are just six Ulster players left in the panel of 22 from which the squad for the Olympics and preceding it the European Championships at the beginning of June will be selected from - Shirley McCay, Megan Frazer, Lizzie Colvin, team captain Katie Mullan, Ayeisha McFerran and Zara Malseed.

Bethany's sister Serena suffered her ACL injury last September while playing for Belfast Harlequins in a friendly while Wilson is continuing her rehab following surgery after she was hurt in an international with Spain in January.

BBC Sport



Hockey star Gilly Okumu ready for football test with Harambee Starlets

By Washington Onyango


Captain Gilly Okumu in Africa Cup of Nations test match against Uganda at Sikh Union on Sunday, March 21, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

It is her agility, her reading of the game, and her supreme attention to detail that marks out Gilly Okumu as one of the best hockey players of her generation.

A forward who marshals the attack with utmost confidence in her own ability to bail her team out of any tight spot, there is an impregnable yet languid nature to Okumu’s style of play that speaks of a natural-born talent.

And talent she has. Okumu’s unwavering love and passion for sports has seen her excel in two sports disciplines; hockey and football.

Currently the Kenya national women’s hockey captain, Okumu keeps shining. And a shining star she is after she was called up in the provisional 30-member squad of the national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets.

Fresh from guiding Kenya to victory against Uganda in Africa Cup of Nations test matches, Okumu said she is ready to hit the ground running with Harambee Starlets.


 Okumu dribbles the ball past Uganda's Faith Achom during an Africa Cup of Nations Test match at Sikh Union, Parklands on March 20, 2021. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

Speaking to The Standard Sports, Okumu said she was surprised to be called up to the national team in such a short period of time after switching to football earlier this year.

Gilly, who plays for Strathmore University as a forward in the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women’s Premier League, said she switched to football to maintain match fitness.

“It came as a surprise as I was playing football to gain fitness since hockey has been off,” said Okumu who plays for Mathare United Women as a striker.

Though yet to score a goal for Mathare United, Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma enlisted Okumu among the forwards alongside Thika Queens top scorer Mwanahalima Adam, Mercy Airo of Gaspo and Faith Machora of Zetech.

Nevertheless, Okumu promised to give her best if selected to face Zambia in the upcoming international friendly on April 24.


Football has always been her passion since high school. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

“Football has always been my passion since high school so asked myself why not play this year especially with no hockey league for the past one and a half year.”

“It is always a pleasure to play for the national team and to feature and play for Harambee Starlets will be a dream come true and an inspiration to others.”

“I am ready to give it my all when the opportunity arrives,” said Okumu who scored five goals for Kenya during their Afcon test matches against Uganda in Nairobi last month.

The Standard Digital



Michigan Earns 2021 Big Ten Field Hockey Title



The Wolverines secure their 11th league crown

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The University of Michigan clinched the 2021 Big Ten field hockey title following Saturday’s game at Maryland. The Wolverines earned their 11th conference crown. Michigan captured its first championship since 2018 (shared with Maryland) and first outright conference title since 2017.
 
Along with the Big Ten title, the Wolverines have secured the No. 1 seed for the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament, which will take place April 20-24 in Iowa City, Iowa, and will be hosted by the University of Iowa.

B1G Ten Conference media release



No. 1 UNC Field Hockey Earns OT Road Victory at No. 12 Virginia

By Avery Trendel


Photo via UVA Media Relations

Erin Matson scored all three of UNC’s goals on Friday in Charlottesville, including the game-winner in overtime, as the top-ranked Tar Heel field hockey team dispatched No. 12 Virginia 3-2.

Each of Matson’s first two goals came during the second quarter, giving UNC (14-1, 4-0 ACC) a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

Virginia (6-11, 1-4 ACC) responded with a pair of goals in the second half, both coming by way of deflections resulting from penalty corner attempts. The Cavaliers also out-shot the Tar Heels 16-14 for the game.

It took Matson just 58 seconds into the first overtime period to deliver the game-winner, however, completing the Tar Heels’ second consecutive overtime win.

“I’m delighted with the overtime execution,” UNC head coach Karen Shelton said afterwards. “We took the pushback and never let UVA get a touch. I’m really pleased with the win and relieved to come out of Charlottesville with a victory.”

Up Next:

UNC travels to face Syracuse on Sunday, April 18 at 1 p.m.

Chapelboro.com



No. 5 Michigan downs No. 11 Maryland field hockey, 2-1

Shane Connuck


Midfielder Brooke DeBerdine drives up the pitch during Maryland field hockey's 2-1 loss to Michigan on April 10, 2021. (Julia Nikhinson/The Diamondback)

With just under a minute left in regulation, No. 11 Maryland field hockey’s bench jumped up and down in celebration. The Terps had a chance to knot the action-packed match with No. 5 Michigan, notching a late penalty corner.

Bibi Donraadt handled the insertion, as always. As has been the case on corners, Natalie Fiechter crouched down and extended her stick as Riley Donnelly readied behind her. Maura Verleg snuck over to her left, and the sophomore ended up on the receiving end of the pass.

It looked like Verleg had an open look. But Michigan forward Tina D’Anjolell crept up from inside the cage and deflected Verleg’s shot, sending the Wolverines’ large crowd on hand at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex into a frenzy as its team downed Maryland, 2-1.

With an increased number of spectators now permitted at sporting events, Michigan’s supporters showed up in full force. From the moment the Wolverines’ starting lineup was introduced, the maize and blue’s section was bouncing.

“This program is a very family-oriented program,” forward Taylor Mason said. “[Having family members in attendance] really adds to the hype before the game and during the game.”

Similar to the opening minutes of action in Maryland’s (6-5) 1-0 shutout of Iowa last Friday, defenses shined during the opening period. Despite multiple drives down the pitch, neither Michigan (8-2) nor the Terps got a shot off for nearly eight minutes.

Eventually, Maryland’s offense got the ball rolling. Kyler Greenwalt took the team’s first shot on goal, an effort comfortably handled by Wolverines goalkeeper Anna Spieker, who entered Saturday’s match with a Big Ten-leading .900 save percentage.

With a little more than two minutes to play in the first, Michigan drew the game’s first penalty corner. Kathryn Peterson inserted the ball for an Anouk Veen shot, which sailed too high off the back wall, keeping the game scoreless.

Peterson continued to threaten the Terps, though. And about five minutes into the second quarter, it was Peterson who cut through Maryland’s defense to open the scoring for Michigan.

Peterson navigated her way past multiple defenders and stepped inside the shooting circle to launch a backhanded shot toward the cage.

Sarah Pyrtek dashed in front of Terps goalkeeper Noelle Frost as Peterson’s effort approached the net. The sophomore lifted her stick and pushed the flying ball past Frost as Michigan’s large crowd at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex erupted in cheers.

The Wolverines headed to the locker room with a 1-0 lead following Pyrtek’s strike. And they would continue to pepper Frost in the third.

Peterson, Katie Anderson and Kate Burney all took shots in the opening portion of the second half. Frost padded the shots away as Michigan drew another penalty corner.

“[Frost is] bringing so much seniority and high-save ability to our squad,” Meharg said.

It didn’t try to shoot the ball immediately. Instead, the Wolverines passed the ball around in front of the cage. Eventually, Pyrtek thought she connected for her second goal of the day when she delivered a backhanded smack into the back of the cage, but the shot was waved off.

The goalmouth action continued on the other end of the pitch. Donnelly saw a drag flick whistle wide as the quarter inched on.

And shortly after, the bleachers at The ‘Plex rumbled once more, this time for a Maryland score. Mayv Clune found some daylight, sending a pass from the circle to an open Mason. The junior buried the shot before she and her teammates jumped around in celebration.

“I’m proud of our team, and certainly Taylor Mason on finishing a beautiful goal,” Meharg said.

The Wolverines responded with fervor, though, continuing to pressure Frost’s cage as the quarter rolled on. With 16 seconds left in the frame, they were rewarded.

Maya Gompper dragged a shot toward the cage, falling right into the path of Lora Clarke. Clarke tapped the ball in from close range, giving the Wolverines a 2-1 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

“Both goals were deflections, and those are the hardest,” Meharg said.

Maryland’s offense continued to try to break through the wall of maize-clad defenders. Brooke DeBerdine had a shot blocked. Clune saw a strike veer out. A Donraadt effort ricocheted off the post.

But Meharg’s squad had no answer for Spieker and the Wolverines. Meharg pulled Frost, looking to spark some life into Maryland’s dormant offense.

But it didn’t come to pass, as the Spieker-led defensive unit shut the door to send the Terps to their fifth loss of the season.

“We’re disappointed in the outcome of the match, but the product couldn’t have been more resilient, more committed,” Meharg said. “The team follows the game plan to a tee.”

The Diamondback



Field Hockey Closes Out Two Game Series At Kent State With 2-0 Loss



KENT, Ohio - - In another tough Mid-American Conference road battle, the Ball State field hockey team had some early scoring opportunities Saturday afternoon at Murphy-Mellis Field.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals (5-7, 3-5 MAC) were unable to convert and suffered a 2-0 setback to Kent State.

"I love this team," Ball State head coach Stephanie Bernthal said. "It was special to be back at my alma mater— I was reminded of how incredibly thankful I am to be a part of this Ball State program. There's no other group I would want to take a field with. No matter what variables are thrown at them, they make no excuses and they battle. Games are made up of hundreds of moments, and while this team is winning so many of them, they didn't getting the final result. I know we will only work harder and dig deeper in the face of that disappointment."

Ball State was the early aggressor, with a pair of quality scoring chances in the opening 15 minutes of action in which they out-shot the Golden Flashes (7-3, 5-3 MAC) by a 3-2 margin.

Kent State picked up its offense in the second period, registering five shots, two of which were turned aside by sophomore goalkeeper Wietske Overdijkink.

Overdijkink would add two more saves in the second half to stop four of Kent State's six shots on goal.

It was not until the late in the third period that Kent State would finally connect with the back of the cage. The Golden Flashes would tack on one more score early in the fourth off of a penalty corner.

Ball State did get off two shots in the final stanza, along with a penalty corner, but were unable to connect on those opportunities.

Offensively, the Cardinals totaled seven shots, with Paloma Gomez Rengifo leading the squad with two shots on goal.

The Ball State field hockey team continues its four-game MAC road swing when it travels to Central Michigan next Saturday and Sunday. Both contests will begin at 1 p.m. ET.

Ball State Sports

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