ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio Field Hockey team will look to trust the process and remain committed to details as they strive to return to the Mid-American Conference Championship game in 2025.
"The whole team worked their tails off this summer," Ohio head coach Ali Johnstone said. "It's pretty exciting to have them all back."
Ohio will open its season with four-straight weeks of games on the road, starting with back-to-back games against Michigan State and Louisville, taking place in Louisville, Kentucky. So many games away from home can provide a challenge to some teams, but Ohio is well prepared for what its schedule brings.
"Our goal is to stay focused, not try to get too overwhelmed with all the travel and just focus on what we can control," Johnstone said. "Our goal with (the first few weeks) is to be as prepared as possible for the conference games."
The Bobcats will open their home schedule on September 26 against the conference's newest team, UMass. With the addition of UMass, a 2024 Final Four team, and the talent already spread throughout the conference, the MAC has established itself as a powerhouse in collegiate field hockey.
Ohio's conference schedule also includes home games against 2024 MAC Champion Miami (Oct. 24) and Longwood (Oct. 19). The team will be on the road for games against MAC preseason No. 2 James Madison (Oct. 31) and a game against Appalachian State (Sept. 19) to start their conference schedule.
Despite the talent in the conference, Ohio is confident in its ability to win the MAC. Johnstone believes that this is one of the best teams she's had since becoming head coach in 2017.
"I think this will be the fastest team that we've ever had collectively," Johnstone said. "I think that's really exciting. We have the ability to play at a much higher pace, because we have that speed naturally."
In addition to the team's physical skill, Ohio returns a breadth of experience from last season. The Bobcats will have 16 players coming back from 2024, including a senior class that features six athletes.
Among the Bobcats' senior class will be their two leading goal scorers from the 2024 season in back Anouk Plaehn (Hanover, Germany) and forward Sasha Dikotla (Johannesburg, South Africa).
Ohio also brings back four juniors, including forward Natalie LaFleur (Fredericksburg, Virginia), who played in 16 games, recording three goals and seven points in 2024. The Bobcats also have seven sophomores, including 2024 All-MAC Freshman Team recipient midfielder Marie De Grande (Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium).
With a ton of experience and returning players, the Bobcats still bring in a talented freshman class featuring nine athletes.
No matter what individual skill any one player has, Johnstone and the coaching staff have been impressed with their group's ability to play as a team and complement each other's abilities.
"They're so fun, they bring joy to the game and they bring joy to training," Johnstone said. "...They're goofy. They're all wonderful, unique people, I think the greatest word is they're really joyful to be around."
Johnstone expects the team to grow even closer as the season progresses, especially after spending four straight weeks on the road together.
Johnstone will have two new coaches joining her this season, with the additions of Katie Maxim, an assistant coach from Central Michigan, and Emma Hilton, a graduate assistant from Ball State.
The conference may be the best that it's ever been with the addition of new teams and returning talent, but the Bobcats are prepared for whatever challenges the season may bring. The team can't wait to get back on the field for their first game on August 30 against Michigan State.
#OUohyeah
