After claiming the Mid-American Conference title two years straight and getting a taste of the NCAA tournament in 2007, the Ohio field hockey team takes the field this year only looking forward.
“Yes, we were good last year,” acknowledges head coach Neil Macmillan. “But that really means nothing now.”
Coming off such a strong showing does not give this team a reason to take anything lightly.
“We are still insignificant when it comes to being compared to other teams in the MAC and NCAA,” he said, knowing that this team must continue to fight to come out on top.
Returning senior and 2007 MAC Player of the Year Jessie Martin said that Ohio does not look much into the team’s previous results.
“We try to keep a clean slate — one game at a time,” Martin said. “We don’t want to overlook anyone. That’s how you slip up.”
Still Macmillan does not deny that their tournament experience, which ended against Michigan in the round of 16 teams last year, only fuels the desire to be even more successful this year.
“It is obviously a goal we are pushing for but have a lot to go through to get there,” he added.
The team will be well-defended as Martin takes to the net for one last season. However, she feels her success only reflects her team’s ability to stand beside her.
“I kind of see it as a team award,” she said. “Our defense was great,” she added, noting that her job was made a little easier with the defense’s ability to keep shots off goal.
The defense will also include returning All-MAC player Nikki Gnozzio who played in all 23 games last season.
After losing one of the top scoring offensive players in the nation in Torrie Albini, Macmillan does not doubt that their team will continue of have success on offense.
He expects All-MAC players and sisters Estienne and Rachelle Coetzee to be heavily involved again this year. Macmillan also hopes that the goals will continue to fall for many players, not just a few.
“It is going to be a case of who is going to step up,” he said. “I think we have a lot in our sophomore and junior classes.”With the achievements of the past tucked away but not forgotten, the Ohio field hockey team looks to continue their reign at the top of the MAC.
“We are — and we are planning on being — a legitimate top 15 team in the NCAA and it is something that everyone should get behind,” Macmillan said. “To see a campus support of this team would be fantastic. It is not often you get to see athletics at this level in Athens.”
The Ohio Field Hockey team was predicted to place third Tuesday when the MAC coaches met for their preseason poll. The team kicks off their season at noon Aug. 30 at home.
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