Izzy Bianco scored twice to help propel the No. 12-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team to a 4-2 victory over Ball State Sunday afternoon at Briner Sports Complex. The win marks Louisville’s third-straight, improving their record to 5-3 on the season, while Ball State falls to 1-5.
“Happy to come away with two wins this weekend, however we have a long way to go on both sides of the ball as a team,” said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. “We started strong in the first quarter and played some great attacking and connected hockey. Ball State competed hard and beat us to the ball for long periods of the game as we were unable to connect with consecutive passes.”
Louisville outshot Ball State 17-6, holding a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal and a 10-5 edge in penalty corners. Emily Young (3-1) made three saves in the win, while Ball State’s Hannah Johnston recorded nine stops.
The Cardinals struck early, converting their second penalty corner just five minutes into the game. Chloe Plumb initiated the play, Tatum Kroon settled the ball, and Bianco finished for her second goal in as many games, giving Louisville a 1-0 lead.
The second quarter brought another penalty corner goal for the Cardinals, with Aimee Plumb scoring off a cross from Chloe Cuzzupe, her second goal of the season.
Louisville took a 2-0 lead into halftime, having outshot Ball State 12-1 with a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal and an 8-1 edge in penalty corners.
In the third quarter, both teams found the back of the net. Ball State scored first on a penalty corner goal from Emma Van Hal. Louisville responded when Rylie Wollerton capitalized on a fast break, scoring her team-best fourth goal of the season after a 1v1 with goalkeeper Hannah Johnston, extending the lead to 3-1.
Bianco added her second goal in the fourth quarter, netting another penalty corner with assists from Sophia Parker and Mia Duchars, pushing the score to 4-1. Ball State answered five minutes later with a penalty corner goal by Nadine Loeps to make it 4-2.
“Our defensive effort and execution was below par, hence our opponents got into our defensive circle easier than we would’ve liked,” said Sowry. “We will have to take a good look at our games from this weekend because the road is going to get tougher beginning next Friday night.”
Louisville returns to Atlantic Coast Conference play on Friday, hosting No. 16 Boston College at 6 p.m. The Cardinals will then travel to face No. 6 Ohio State on Sunday at 1 p.m. in another top-20 matchup.
