Ball State Field Hockey lost to No. 10 Michigan State 5-3 Oct. 9 as the beginning of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament looms.
The Cardinals were able to tie the match up in the first and second periods at 2-2 and 3-3 respectively but the Spartans added two goals in the third period to ensure a victory in Muncie.
Fourth-year defender Kerrianne McClay scored the tying goal in the first period after breaking through Michigan State’s defense.
“She is a strong defender,” head coach Caitlin Walsh said. “She communicates really well back there and sets the tone for the team... They look up to her, and feed off of her energy.”
McClay had six shots on goal along with finding the back of the net.
“She's a true team player,” Walsh said. “Her worth ethic is great too. She's all over the field, diving for balls, [the] first one to intercept and try to take the ball down the field and shoot her shot.”
Fourth-year goalkeeper Ally Butler had eight saves to keep Ball State in contention against the Spartans.
“We have so much opportunity and it's a new era for Ball State Field Hockey we want to take advantage of that” McClay said. “Unselfish is what I would call this team. We play off of each other's energy. We come out and work for each other and make each other look good and just very unselfish.”
As the beginning of the MAC tournament inches closer, McClay said there will be stiff competition.
“We’ve had some really good games, in conference and out of conference, preparing for that tournament time,” she said. “We just need to keep our heads down and be humble and keep working every week. That’s what's really been motivating me and what's inspiring myself and my teammates to push through to come out on top for the MAC”.
Ball State heads over to Louisville, Kentucky for two matches against Bellarmine University Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. and the University of Louisville Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.
Contact Bella Bonilla with comments at isabella.bonilla@bsu.edu or on Twitter @bellabonilla14.
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