Third Quarter Breakout Pushes Dukes Past Ball State

Friday, September 18

Muncie, Ind.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

(1-5, 1-0)

Ball State

(2-4, 0-1)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
James Madison	0	0	3	0	3
Ball St.	0	0	0	1	1

Game Notes

Dukes celebrate after Brynna Hill's game-tying goal versus No. 14 Liberty on September 6, 2026

9/18/2026 3:30:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – After a scoreless first half, JMU found the back of the net three times in the third quarter to build a sizable advantage that wouldn't be relinquished, as James Madison field hockey (1-5, 1-0 MAC) defeated Ball State (2-4, 0-1 MAC), 3-1, on Friday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex.

Right from the opening pass, JMU went on the attack, building a 10-1 edge in shots through the first 30 minutes. By the final whistle, the Dukes had accumulated a 20-6 advantage in shots, putting 11 efforts on goal while limiting Ball State to three shots on target.

Six Dukes recorded multiple shots, with Brynna Hill leading the way by posting her third career brace with a pair of backhand goals in the third period. Hill totaled four shots and three shots on goal, both of which led the team. First-year forwards Diede Donders and Emma Smit also peppered Ball State's backline with attempts, each registering three shots, while Smit tallied her first career goal to extend JMU's lead in the third.

How It Happened

JMU received a prime scoring opportunity in the 37th minute when Ava Drexler-Amey charged past Cardinals defenders, pushing the ball to Elena Giangaspero in the middle of the circle. After the ball was tipped away, Hill managed to collect it, spin around and slap a backhand shot past the Ball State goalkeeper to put the Dukes in front.
The Dukes weren't done offensively, as a few moments later, Hill once again found herself in possession of the ball. This time, the fourth-year midfielder fired another backhand shot from just inside the shooting circle and sent it into the bottom left corner.
In the 43rd minute, the Dukes worked quickly on the fast break as Avery Ruckman took control of the ball and maneuvered through a thicket of Cardinals defenders to put JMU in prime position to score. Smit seized the opportunity, firing multiple shots before her final effort found the cage at the right post to put JMU ahead 3-0.
Ball State got one back in the fourth period when GiGi Ronaldo scored off a Cardinals penalty corner in the 54th minute.

Game Notes

With the 3-1 result, James Madison earned its first victory under Head Coach Alyssa Parker Rosenblum.
Since joining the MAC in 2024, JMU is 3-0 in conference openers and has won two of those three by multiple goals. Additionally, the Dukes are 14-4 in MAC play since joining the conference.
JMU improved to 8-5 all-time against Ball State and extended its winning streak over the Cardinals to five, having outscored BSU 22-2 during that span.
Hill's brace was the third of her career and JMU's first since her previous two-goal performance against Bellarmine on Oct. 19, 2025.
JMU's 20 shots Friday afternoon were its most since the Dukes recorded 24 against Central Michigan in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals last season.

Up Next

James Madison continues its extended road stretch with a trip to Oxford, Ohio, to face Miami at 2 p.m. next Friday.