Despite graduating the most successful senior class in school history, field hockey coach Neil Macmillan says he has never been one to dwell on the players he has lost.
In fact, he embraces it.
It really keeps us fresh
he said. The tactics and formations we used last year might not work this year. It's a great challenge for us coaches.
Five Bobcats ran out of eligibility following the 2009 season. The group was without a doubt the most accomplished group of seniors Ohio field hockey has ever seen, Macmillan said.
The class won three Mid-American Conference titles during its four years in Athens and, in 2007, won an NCAA play-in game before losing in the first round of the tournament.
Last season, Ohio finished 12-9, winning a MAC title and advancing to the play-in game of the NCAA Tournament. Ohio lost to No. 18 Richmond, 2-1, in that game.
The Bobcats will try to replace the lost contributions with the addition of five new players for the 2010 campaign.
Jessica Bitz, Katherine Fenzel, Riley Higgins, Jess Jue and Jessica Vaeth were all signed earlier this year to become the Ohio field hockey Class of 2014.
It seems as if you'd have to be a Jessica to get recruited this year Macmillan said with a laugh.
Bitz and Jue hail from Canada, which is a strength, Macmillan said. Both played for Canada's national team, and both have split time between the forward and midfield positions.
They're really developed for 18 year olds he said. You don't see that in American players due to lack of experience. They've got great skills.
He credited the squad's recruiting presence in Canada to Ali Johnstone, who originally hails from British Columbia.
Vaeth, a midfielder, will come to Athens from Emmaus High School in southeastern Pennysylvania. Emmaus won a national championship in 2007 and captured a district championship during each of the past three seasons.
She (Vaeth) comes from one of the most historic field hockey programs in the nation
Macmillan said. Her tremendous skill set and understanding for the game proves it.
Both Fenzel, a midfielder, and Higgins, a defender, grew up in Louisville, Ky., and played on one of the most competitive club teams in the nation, Macmillan said.
The players from Louisville are coming in with ridiculously high ceilings on their ability
he said. They're just another piece in our recruiting puzzle that we hope will keep our team strong.
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Noah Meyers
