Athens is generally not a city that jumps off the map in the international realm.
Luckily for the Bobcat field hockey program, it did catch the attention of coach Neil Macmillan, a native of England, who brought along a new attitude to the program as well as two South African phenoms in twin sisters Estienne and Rachelle Coetzee.
It was really fate that the three ended up at Ohio together. Macmillan came to the United States in 1999 as an assistant coach for Wake Forest. He started out as a part-time coach but soon became a fixture in the program, helping the Demon Deacons win three consecutive national championships from 2002-2004.
I was part-time for nine months initially
and one year turns into two and after two you establish yourself and stay around Macmillan said.
It was also by chance that Macmillan brought the Coetzee sisters to Ohio with him. He met them thanks to their older sister, Karin, who played tennis for Wake Forest. She sought him out and provided him with tapes of her younger sisters' high school games.
Wake Forest, however, already had finished their recruiting for the year. So when Macmillan took over at Ohio, he talked the sisters into coming as well.
Estienne said the decision to come to Ohio was a fairly easy one, pointing out that the sisters wanted to play at the same school, open spaces on the squad were available and they were comfortable with Macmillan.
Everything appears to be working out well for the international trio thus far as the sisters have become vital to the Bobcat offense. And while the girls are soft spoken off the field, they let their on-field play do the talking. Estienne is second on the team in goals scored (eight) and points (17), while Rachelle leads the team in assists (five) and is third in points (13).
I've always had a dream to come to America
and when the opportunity came I took it
Rachelle said. I'm very happy here
and I think Neil is a great coach.
There is plenty to be happy about as the field hockey squad currently sits in second place in the Mid-American Conference standings.
Although it was by chance that two players and their coach ended up together, luck has nothing to do with their solid play. Macmillan said international players generally start at a much younger age than players in the States; therefore, international players have better basic skills. Macmillan attributes this fact to the twins' success in their first year at Ohio.
Because international players have that extra experience, Macmillan hopes to continue to bring diverse talent to the Bobcat field hockey program in the future. Perhaps he can get lucky again, but no one can be certain. One thing the Bobcats are sure of, though, is that the program has a bright future - thanks in large part to some quality international personnel along with a little touch of fate.
17
Archives
Joe Rudemiller
200510253246midsize.jpg
