Red, yellow, black, white and orange balloons floated on the far West side of the Ball State bleachers at Briner Sports Complex. One balloon was in the shape of a smiling sun, and countless other balloons were bunched together to create a Cardinal. 

Amongst the balloons were two black and white cutout numbers, 25, to represent the graduating class of Ball State field hockey’s three true seniors who were being celebrated prior to the Cardinals’ match against James Madison.

Posters of Jenna Wyckoff, Maya Guinn and Nadia Briddell hung on the West side fence of the complex, on the opposite end of six country flags representing all of Ball State’s international players. 

Two of them, Spain’s Paloma Gómez Rengifo and South Africa’s Michaela Graney, were about to play their final match in Muncie as well. However, Ball State’s five fifth-year seniors already experienced their senior day last season, alongside three other Cardinals who have since left the program. 

That left pre-match ceremonies squarely focused on Wyckoff, Guinn and Briddell, who were all joined by family and friends. Wyckoff’s support group traveled from her home state of New Jersey, Briddell’s from Maryland and Guinn’s from Kentucky. 

The latter spoke about the bond she has formed with Briddell and Wyckoff, going through all four years of college as roommates. Now, they view each other as best friends. 

“This being our last home game ever was definitely very sad,” Guinn said. “There were a lot of emotions, but we just wanted to leave it all out here.” 

Briddell shared a hug with fifth-year goalkeeper Hannah Johnston after the match, and the two rested their heads on the other’s shoulder as they closed their eyes and smiled.

“I never want the season to end,” Briddell said. “I wish I had unlimited eligibility.” 

During last season’s senior day, Johnston already made up her mind that she was going to return for a fifth season. The past three months have been full of lasts for Ball State’s eight seniors – with Emma Hilton and Rachel Bohn completing the group – and even if Johnston didn’t get the full senior day festivities prior to Sunday’s match, she was experiencing the same emotions as her three teammates who did. 

As all Cardinals did, Johnston had to write Briddell, Guinn and Wyckoff personalized notes in an attempt to sum up their four years together. She tried to do the same vocally after the final buzzer sounded on senior day.

“I’m so lucky that I got four full years with them,” Johnston said. “This extra year has been so nice to further that relationship with them … There’s just something about senior day that gets us fighting so much more for each other. Everything is on the line.” 

Even if the Cardinals played with an extra fire motivating them Sunday, it wasn’t enough to defeat Mid-American Conference (MAC) powerhouse James Madison. The Dukes are now 6-0 in conference play (11-4 overall), whereas Ball State slips to 3-4 (4-12 overall). 

The first half of Sunday’s match seemed to go Ball State’s way, holding James Madison scoreless through the first 30 minutes. The only problem was that the Cardinals were unable to score as well. 

Head coach Caitlin Walsh was pleased with Ball State’s first half defense not allowing any of the Dukes’ eight shots to hit the back of the cage, but she also knew how difficult it would be to keep that up in the remaining 30 minutes of play. 

“I told the team at halftime, ‘This is a team that if we slip up, they're gonna execute on their opportunities.’ They did just that,” Walsh said. 

Before the halftime clock had even expired, James Madison’s offense was itching to begin the third period. It took just seven minutes for junior Alice Roeper to score her 11th goal of the season and put the Dukes ahead of the Cardinals 1-0. Five minutes later, junior Skyler Brown put James Madison in front 2-0. 

Johnston felt the Dukes came into the second half with more urgency than they played with in the first, and Guinn recognized that James Madison’s second half mentality was to score as quickly as possible. The opposing team’s successful attack still caught her off guard.

“I felt like we had them,” Guinn said. 

Before the final buzzer sounded, James Madison fifth-year Carissa Tambroni hit the back of the cage twice to give the Dukes a 4-0 final victory. In just six MAC games this season, James Madison has outscored conference opponents 23-4. 

Despite allowing four goals, Johnston finished with 16 saves, her second most of the season. When she learned of her stellar performance, Johnston seemed surprised, and even a bit relieved. However, she was never too upset about letting four shots get past her to begin with. 

“You just have to reset,” Johnston said. “There’s no way that you can be so caught up in yourself.”  

And Ball State as a whole cannot afford to be caught up in Sunday’s loss, as the Cardinals’ season will be on the line the next time the red and white takes the pitch. The last game of Ball State’s regular season is set for Friday, Nov. 1 against MAC rival Bellarmine (4-12, 1-6 MAC) at 6 p.m. in Louisville, Kentucky. If the Cardinals win, they officially clinch a spot in the MAC Tournament.

“We can come out on top,” Briddell said. “We have before, and we can do it again. I think the vibes will be high.” 

If Ball State loses, its destiny will be decided by whether or not sixth place Ohio or seventh place Longwood loses earlier that same day. Walsh has played in and coached through situations like this before, and her mentality has always been to focus squarely on what her team can control.

“Fate is in our hands,” Walsh said. “ … I’m not even leaving it up to another team.” 

Contact Kyle Smedley via email at kmsmedley213@gmail.com or via X @KyleSmedley_

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