The field hockey team won both its Mid-American Conference games over the weekend, including its most significant win of the season, defeating ninth ranked Louisville 3-2 on Sunday.
After being tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, Ball State and Louisville stayed even through two overtimes. The Cardinals then beat Louisville 3-2 in the best-of-five penalty shot period, giving them the victory.
Louisville scored first 3:46 into the game. Senior forward Allison Haynes scored 16 minutes later to even the score at one. After another Louisville goal, the Cardinals were down 2-1 at the half.
In the second half, senior midfielder Jenn Budney's goal off a penalty corner shot with 23 minutes left ultimately sent the game into overtime. Junior back Becky Weaver and junior forward Kirsty Houghton assisted on the goal.
Louisville was awarded a penalty shot in the first overtime. Since overtime in field hockey is sudden-death, a goal would have won the game. But senior goalkeeper Susan McDowell came up with one of her 12 saves to ensure a second overtime.
After the second overtime, each team was given five penalty shots by five different players. Which ever team scored the most would win.
McDowell had three saves in the penalty period and Haynes, Weaver and freshman forward Merri McKissock scored for the Cardinals.
Saturday, the team beat Miami of Ohio in less dramatic fashion 1-0.
Houghton scored Ball State's lone goal 22:15 into the first half. Haynes assisted the goal.
The shutout was McDowell's third of her career. The Cardinals posted a 23-6 advantage on shots and a 11-4 advantage on corners in the game.
The two wins upped the Cardinals to 2-1 in the MAC and 6-3 overall. They won just six games total all of last season.
The Cardinals have two more MAC contests next weekend at home against Ohio on Saturday and Kent State on Sunday.
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