MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State field hockey team capitalized on an early penalty stroke goal from junior midfielder Emma van Hal and never looked back, scoring a 3-1 victory over visiting Longwood Friday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex.
It was van Hal's team-leading fifth goal of the season and one of two first period tallies for the Cardinals (2-7; 1-2 Mid-American Conference) who out-shot the visiting Lancers (3-6; 1-3 MAC) by a 20-8 margin.
After the opening goal a little over five minutes into the contest, sophomore forward Julia Verratti found the back of the cage for the first time in her collegiate career, corralling a loose ball and firing it past the Longwood keeper in the 11th minute.