Loretto, Pa- Coming off a weekend sweep of Siena and Colgate, the Saint Francis Red Flash field hockey (4-2) heads to State College for a matchup with the Cardinals of Ball State.
 
Scouting Ball State
 
The Cardinals enter the game sporting a 3-3 record with the most recent decision being a 2-1 win over Lehigh on Sunday. On offense, Michelle Shampton, Carley Shannon, Abbey Main and Sierra Jefferson lead the balanced Cardinals' attack. Despite only starting two games, Shampton is the frontrunner with eight points on three goals and two assists. Her presence off the bench will be an X factor. Shannon is second in scoring with six points off of two goals and two assists. Main has been the main goal threat with three goals. Jefferson has also put in three goals while clipping in an assist for a total of seven points.
 
Defensively, freshman goalkeeper Grace Chavez, who has played all the possible minutes in the cage, leads the Cardinals. Chavez has posted a .794 save percentage on 27 saves. Christy Longacre enters her second year as head coach. This will be the first ever meeting between Ball State and Saint Francis.
 
MAC Attack
 
Ball State is the third MAC squad that the Red Flash will face this year. The Red Flash soundly defeated Central Michigan 4-0 in the first match of the season and fell to Kent State 1-0.
 
Twenty-One and Fourth Two
 
Ball State's opponents have posted 42 penalty corners this season, which have been equally distributed by 21 for each half. Coincidentally, the Red Flash has recorded 42 penalty corners.
 
Four!
 
Brea Seabrook (Wilkes Barre, Pa./GAR Memorial), Brianna Govia (St. James, Trinidad/Holy Name) and Hannah Retherford (Benton, Pa./Benton) are tied for the lead in assists with four.
 
Atlantic 10 Leaders
 
Saint Francis is first in the Atlantic 10 in scoring average with 19 goals for a crisp 3.80 goal per game average. The Red Flash are also second in the Atlantic 10 in shots per game. Those combined factors have the Red Flash as a potent offensive threat.