MUNCIE, IND. – The Miami University field hockey team shut out Ball State by a 4-0 margin in its first Mid-American conference game of the 2018 season on Saturday. The RedHawks improve to 4-4 on the season and the Cardinals drop to 0-7.

The RedHawks earned the first penalty corner of the game in the 12^th minute of play but the resulting two shots from Mariona Heras were turned aside by the Ball State goalkeeper.

The Cardinals could not cleanly clear the zone so the RedHawks got another penalty corner chance. Leonor Berlie put in her second goal of the season with Noor Breedijk and Kirsten McNeil earning the assists.

Miami kept the offensive pressure on with a couple more shots and earned another penalty corner. Paula Portugal put away her sixth of the season to increase Miami's lead to 2-0 during the 15^th minute of play. Peterson and McNeil once again picked up assists.

Just two minutes later, Allie Grace Joyner capitalized on a penalty corner opportunity with her second goal of the season. Heras and McNeil earned assists as Miami increased its lead to 3-0.

The RedHawks took the 3-0 lead into the half, also leading in shots 15-1, shots on goal 12-0 and penalty corners 10-0.

Ball State started the second half with an offensive push, earning three penalty corners in the first six minutes of play. Maddie Passarella turned aside all three shots on goal.

The score remained 3-0 until Portugal scored her second of the game and seventh of the season during the 56^th minute of play. Avery Sturm set Portugal up to score.

Miami's offense generated 22 shots, 16 of those coming on goal. The RedHawks also earned 16 penalty corners while limiting Ball State to just five. Portugal and Heras led both teams with four shots apiece. Portugal led the team with two goals while McNeil recorded three assists. Passarella stopped all three shots she faced.

The RedHawks travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on No. 22 Ohio State on Sunday at 1 p.m.