Recap courtesy of Ball State Athletic Communications

Ball State 3, Sacred Heart 2
Box Score
LEWISBURG, Pa. — The Ball State field hockey team is officially in the win column for the 2026 season. After a heart-pounding, high-stakes battle on the road, the Cardinals secured a 3-2 victory over Sacred Heart today at Graham Field at Holmes Stadium, sealed by a dramatic game-winning penalty stroke goal from Jemimah Kriechelberg.

After a scoreless first quarter, Sacred Heart struck first at the 18:25 mark. Ball State answered less than a minute later when Isabela Fölster popped the ball over the Pioneers' goalkeeper off an assist from Julia Verratti to knot the score at 1-1. The Cardinals then took a 2-1 edge into intermission after sophomore standout GiGi Ranoldo deflected a precision penalty corner insert into the post, assisted by Lauren Lewis.

Following the break, Sacred Heart tied the contest in the third stanza to make it a 2-2 ball game. Neither team could find the back of the cage in the final 15 minutes of regulation, sending the grueling match into extra time.

With the game locked up at the end of regulation, sudden-death overtime demanded absolute perfection. The Cardinals capitalized on a fluid counter-attack to draw the decisive penalty stroke, which Kriechelberg flawlessly converted to seal the triumphant victory.

In goal, Carleigh Hofelich faced 15 shots, racked up nine saves, and earned her first victory of the season. The Cardinals' defensive unit played a massive role in the win, suffocating the Pioneers' attack and limiting Sacred Heart to just three penalty corners on the day.

Ball State continues its four-game road stretch in Iowa City, Iowa, next weekend. The Cardinals will face Lehigh on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET before taking on Big Ten foe Iowa on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.