Ball State hockey loses in double overtime to Michigan State, shut out by Miami

With seven minutes and 20 seconds left in double overtime between Ball State and Michigan State hockey, 17 Cardinals lined up on the sideline and watched as their seven teammates prepared for a Spartan hook shot.

The 1-1 match was on the line as victory went to the team that scored first under extra time rules. Ball States 17 bench players leaned forward and shouted words of encouragement to their teammates.

On the Michigan State side, the players largely stood still, perhaps waiting with bated breath. Then came the 17th penalty corner shot of the game, and freshman midfielder Lilan Knorr found the back of the cage to give the Spartans a 2-1 victory.

The Michigan States bench broke their positions and rushed onto the field to celebrate. All 24 cardinals stood still in shock.

After a 3-0 loss to Miami (OH) on Friday, head coach Caitlin Walsh challenged Ball State to come up with more energy against the Spartans.

They just wanted it more than we did, Walsh said Friday. We could have been a bit more consistent in terms of energy. Today was a bit of a setback, but I don't think it's something we can't recover from.

Despite suffering a fifth straight loss Sunday, Walsh said the Cardinals took her challenge to heart.

Even in the locker room during warm-ups, from quarter one to quarter four, I felt like the energy was super high today, Walsh said Sunday. When you feel that energy around you, you want to play for yourself And your teammates.

Junior midfielder/forward Grace Clokie was one of 17 to support her teammates during overtime. Through the first eight games of the 2024 season, Clokie has started six, but she only saw five starts during her sophomore season.

Clokie not only knows the importance of cheering on her teammates from the sidelines, but she also knows how much of an impact it has on her game, with the Cardinals doing the same for her.

When I sit on the couch, I always try to shout as loud as possible, Clokie said on Sunday. I know that when I'm on the pitch and I hear my teammates on the bench, it really motivates me to keep pushing.

The native of West Vancouver, Canada, may not have started against Michigan State, but she had the biggest impact on Ball States' offense. Clokie checked into the game within the first five minutes of play and before the clock ticked ten minutes, she scored for the first time this season.

The goal came on the Cardinals' only corner shot of the game, a shot that didn't quite go to plan, but junior Emma van Hal adjusted and found Clokie for the assist and score.

Luckily I was there and got it in, Clokie said on Sunday. It's exciting. Everyone on this team is so supportive and they take you to the next level. I'm so grateful to have them as teammates.

The Cardinals held on to their 1-0 lead with strong defense until freshman back Caro Shafer scored the Spartans' first goal of the game with less than three minutes left in regulation time to tie the game and send it to overtime to steer. Against Miami and Michigan State, Ball State allowed a total of 44 shots while making just six.

Even with two losses by a combined score of 5-1, graduate student goalkeeper Hannah Johnston collected 22 saves for a weekend save percentage of 81.3. However, Walsh is still disappointed with Ball States' overall approach on both ends of the pitch when it comes to corner shots. This weekend the Cardinals allowed 25 corners and earned only two.

We were digging a little hole for ourselves, which put us in a position like that, Walsh said Sunday. That's unacceptable how many defensive corners we conceded today. That said, allowing just two goals is pretty impressive.

The Cardinal's 3-0 loss to Miami on Friday marked its 17th straight loss to the RedHawks (5-5, 2-1 MAC), and after Sunday's loss to Michigan State, Ball State is now 1-7 in 2024 Even if Walsh isn't happy with the Cardinals' overall record, she's more concerned about improving on an early 0-2 record in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.

Ball State will get a chance to right those wrongs on Friday when Longwood comes to Muncie for a MAC game at noon. Clokie believes that a lead in the first 57 minutes of play against a BigTen opponent like the Spartans is enough to build on a disappointing weekend.

Frankly, it's positive, Clokie said on Sunday. We held that game. We were on that team for most of the game. It will be good to have the same energy and positivity in other games.

Contact Kyle Smedley via email at [email protected] or via X @KyleSmedley_.

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