The Kent State field hockey team will look to maintain its position in the Mid-American Conference standings when the team takes on the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday in Muncie, Ind.

The Flashes (6-8, 2-0 MAC) have won two of their last three matches. They earned both of their conference wins during this stretch, including a 3-2 overtime victory against the Central Michigan Chippewas last Saturday at Murphy-Mellis Field.

Kent State’s 2-0 conference record puts the Flashes in first place in the MAC standings, a half-game ahead of Miami, Ohio, and Ohio. The Flashes are scheduled to play against both the Redhawks and the Bobcats later this season before the MAC Tournament begins on Nov. 7.

Ball State has had a rough stretch of matches since its last victory, a 3-0 shutout of Vermont on Sept. 28. Since then, the Cardinals (5-8, 0-2 MAC) have lost four straight matches, including conference losses to Central Michigan and Miami, and have scored just two goals in the four-game stretch.

Despite their solid start in conference play, the Flashes are still looking for their first win on the road this season. The team lost 5-1 to James Madison in the first away game of the season Aug. 30 and fell 1-0 in overtime at Lock Haven on Sept. 29.

Junior Julia Hofmann continues to lead the MAC this season in shots and points, and is second in the conference in goals and assists with eight and five respectively. Junior Hannah Faulkner, who scored the game-winning goal against the Chippewas, is third in goals with seven.

Kent State’s match against Ball State is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Contact Chris Ginley at [email protected].