Box Score

Senior Hannah Faulkner, captain of the field hockey team, led the Flashes to a 6-1 victory over Ball State on Saturday with a career-high four goals.

“Coming into the weekend I needed to prepare myself because I am an emotional person and I care so much about this team,” Faulkner said. “I just wanted to leave everything out on the field over these past four years.”

It didn’t take the Flashes long to start their offensive attack on Senior Day at Murphy-Mellis Field.

One minute into the game, sophomore Madison Crawford found the back of the cage to put Kent State ahead, 1-0.

Kent State coach Kathleen Wiler stressed how important it was to have a strong attack against Ball State.

“We’re super athletic up front and we want the ball in our strikers hand because they are fast and know how to score,” Wiler said.

The Flashes (7-8, 4-0 MAC) continued attacking throughout the first half but couldn’t put another point on the scoreboard. Ball State (5-10, 2-4 MAC) tied the game on a goal by Mikayla Mooney with 11 seconds remaining in the first half. With the momentum shifting the Cardinals’ way at the end of the half, Kent State needed a surge of energy.

The Flashes looked to Faulkner and she delivered. Minutes into the second half Faulkner handed her team a 2-1 lead off a deflection on a corner play.

Kent State continued to dominate possession early in the second half. They added to their lead when senior Julia Hofmann assisted fellow senior Shannon Martin on a shot from the top of the circle to give Kent State a 3-1 lead.

The rest of the game belonged to Faulkner, as she found the back of the cage three more times. Faulkner completed a hat trick for the game and her second of the season.

Falkner answered the call when her team needed her most.

“Hannah is playing so well,” Wiler said. “She is a team player and a true competitor out there.”

The Flashes have kept their undefeated MAC season alive and will host Longwood University Sunday at Murphy-Mellis Field at 1 p.m.

Contact Ricky Salcer at [email protected].