Recap courtesy of Ball State Athletic Communications

Ball State 4, Queens 1
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. — Martina Pratt delivered the game-winner in sudden-death overtime to lift the Ball State field hockey team to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Mid-American Conference rival Ohio University Friday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex.

Pratt was the undisputed star of the match, netting two goals on the day. Her game-winner capped off a brilliant multi-player sequence, with precision assists credited to Emily Kate Covert and Lauren Lewis. The cohesive play sliced through the Bobcats' defense to seal the victory on the Cardinals' home turf.

With the win, the Cardinals move to 4-11 and 2-6 in the MAC while Bobcats drop to 7-7 and 4-4 in conference action. 

The match began with an early setback for the Cardinals, as Ohio scored shortly after the opening whistle to take a quick 1-0 lead. However, Ball State quickly regained its composure, equalizing at the 12:11 mark when Pratt, a true freshman, finished a spectacular solo dribble. The remainder of the first half devolved into a defensive battle. The Cardinals stifled the Bobcats' attack, limiting Ohio to just one penalty corner while drawing six of their own, including back-to-back corners to close out the opening 30 minutes.

Ball State carried that momentum into the second half, dominating both ends of the field. Emily Kate Covert gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead at the 38:41 mark, turning an aggressive solo drive into an unassisted goal. The offense kept pressing, expanding the lead to 3-1 when Jade Vandevoorde capitalized on a penalty corner, assisted by Emalee Harter and Lauren Lewis. Lewis was equally stellar on the defensive end, helping the Cardinals maintain their two-goal cushion heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation.

Despite Ball State's control, this high-stakes conference clash came down to the wire. Ohio's Karley DuCoin mounted a fierce comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring two unanswered goals to erase the deficit and knot the score at 3-3, sending the game into a tense overtime period.

The Ball State field hockey team will host Queens on Sunday for its last home contest of the season at noon. Prior to the game, the Cardinals will pay tribute to their seniors.