Nina Bruno, Nikki Gnozzio, Rita Murphy, Lindsay Schwartz and Lauren Stahlhuth.
Their names may not appear in the news, and they may not receive the Mid-American Conference accolades, but this defensive unit plays a crucial role in the success of the Ohio field hockey team.
Not that they're concerned with press time.
You don't really worry about who gets 'it
' Stahlhuth said. Defenders kind of get used to not being the standout players but if you're solid they say defense wins championships.
Ohio has accumulated five of the six MAC Defensive Player of the Week awards given out this season. Four went to goalkeeper Jessie Martin and one went to Gnozzio. The offense has cleaned up as well, taking three of the five honors.
Murphy said the defense takes pride in the other players' accomplishments.
Our team does a good job of spreading it
she said. That's what being a team means. When somebody on the team gets recognition
everybody really does.
Coach Neil Macmillan said such a mentality takes nothing away from Martin's performance this season. Currently, she is tied for 18th in the country with a .786 save percentage.
But the idea of a team award is still stressed, Macmillan said.
It's the team that gets a shutout
he said. Jessie is certainly a steady player and someone we rely on
but we look at the awards as a testament to the whole team.
Compared to the rest of the nation, Ohio's defense stacks up well. The Bobcats are 14th in goals against average (1.16) and tied for 14th in shutouts per game (0.33).
A consistent defensive scheme has aided the Bobcats this season, Schwartz said.
It all comes down to communication and marking
she said. It's a team thing.
Team success is based on the unit's camaraderie. The players are friends off the field and that helps build trust on the field.
I think that's unique for our field hockey team
Stahlhuth said. You know everyone's got your back
and you're going to work harder for everyone else.
The defense is really close
Martin added. We play very well together and know how each of us plays.
Ohio uses a special system to hold one another accountable. Each game, a different player is selected, and the other players wear a bracelet to remind themselves of their teammate. In warm-ups and during the game, the other players make a point to cheer for and recognize that individual.
We really push that player really hard
