Score:  UC Davis 5, Ball State 4 (OT)
Location:  Davis, Calif.
Records:  UC Davis, 2-1, Ball State 1-3

The short story: UC Davis field hockey pulled off a thrilling overtime win in their home opener against Ball State, highlighted by braces from Karly Redman and Ella Franken, Hayden Ma's first career goal, and a dramatic game-winner to seal the 5-4 victory.

PITCH SIDE 

·       Using a total team effort, 17 different Aggies appeared in today's game.

·       Junior captain Ella Franken secured a brace for the second game in a row.

·       Junior Karly Redman secured her first career brace.

·       Senior Captain Hayden Ma scored her first career goal.

HOW IT HAPPENED

·       The Aggies jumped out to an early lead in the 11th minute when junior Ella Franken slotted home a goal off a well-executed penalty corner, energizing the home crowd in their season debut.

·       Ball State answered in the 25th minute, capitalizing on sustained offensive pressure as Reagan Kunkle found the equalizer to make it 1-1.

·       The Cardinals then swung momentum firmly in their favor, striking twice in quick succession with goals from Julia Verratti and Jade Vandevoorde to take a commanding 3-1 lead heading into halftime.

·       Down by two in the third quarter, UC Davis needed a spark, and junior Karly Redman delivered in the 45th minute with a clutch goal that pulled the Aggies back within striking distance.

·       Ball State quickly pushed the lead back to two, converting another penalty corner as Ellia Francois extended the score to 4-2.

·       Refusing to let the game slip away, the Aggies earned a penalty corner less than a minute later, where Franken buried her second goal of the night — and her first brace of the season — to make it 4-3.

·       Early in the fourth quarter, Redman struck again with her second goal of the match, tying the game 4-4 and shifting momentum back to UC Davis.

·       Both teams battled through the remainder of regulation, but strong defensive stands on both ends kept the score even, sending the match into overtime.

·       With less than two minutes left in the extra period, senior captain Hayden Ma came through in dramatic fashion, scoring her first career goal and clinching a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory in UC Davis' home opener.

NEXT UP: The Aggies remain at home and face the Ohio Bobcats on Sep. 11 at 12 p.m. PT.