Strong Second Half Leads to 4-0 Shutout at Ball State

Sunday, October 27

Muncie, Ind.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

(11-4, 6-0MAC)

Ball State

(4-12, 3-4MAC)

James Madison

Ball State

10/27/2024 4:05:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – James Madison scored four goals in the second half while Katie Fricke recorded a clean sheet with two saves for her first career shutout in a 4-0 win over Ball State on Sunday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex in Mid-American Conference field hockey action.

JMU (11-4, 6-0 MAC) peppered the Cardinals (4-12, 3-4 MAC) with 26 shots, including 20 on goal, to go along with 11 penalty corners.

Fifth-year Carissa Tambroni paced the Dukes' offense with a career-high two goals and an assist. Juniors Alice Roeper and Skyler Brown also found the back of the net, while graduate student Mia Julian registered an assist.

For BSU, Hannah Johnston made 16 stops in the loss.

Quoting Head Coach Christy Morgan
"Ball State came out on fire – they had a lot of energy and desire. Once we settled in and started playing connected hockey, we were much more effective. We had four goals by three people, so we're excited about our growth there. But there's so much more for us. Everybody's going to challenge us from here on out, so we have to play our game. We have that in us, and we'll bring it out."

How It Happened

Johnston made six saves in the opening thirty minutes to keep it 0-0 at the break.
JMU finally broke through halfway through the third on a penalty corner with a reverse shot from Roeper at the top of the circle to the bottom right of the goal with the stop from Tambroni and insertion from Julian.
Later in the period, Brown pounced on a loose ball and flicked it over the BSU netminder to give the Dukes a 2-0 cushion at the 2:50 mark.
Tambroni took a bouncing shot that skipped over the stick of Johnston for a 3-0 JMU advantage with under ten minutes remaining in the fourth.
In the waning minutes, Tambroni used a reverse flick that trickled through to secure the 4-0 victory.

Game Notes

James Madison leads Ball State in the all-time series, 6-5, dating back to 1980.
Tambroni has scored in four consecutive games and has registered 13 points (5g, 3a) in that span.
The result marks the Dukes' third consecutive shutout in conference play. Previously, JMU held Kent State scoreless (3-0, Oct. 11) and blanked Bellarmine (6-0, Oct. 18).
JMU's 11 corners are tied for the most for the team since its contest at Queens (N.C.) on Sept. 29. The Dukes' 26 shots are also tied for the most since their matchup with the Royals.
In just six MAC games this season, James Madison has outscored conference opponents 23-4.
Roeper's goal gives her five on the season, tied for the most by a JMU player since Eveline Zwager netted five game winners in 2022.

Up Next
The Dukes will return to Harrisonburg to host Liberty on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at the JMU Field Hockey Complex and will stream on ESPN+.