HED: Field Hockey: Bobcats hit the road for their first away game
The Bobcats are playing their first road game of the year in Bloomington, Ind. against California on Saturday.
After dropping its first two games of the season, Ohio will look toward the road for regeneration.
Ohio will look to omit a 7-0 loss to Syracuse and its second consecutive 0-2 start, as the Bobcats will face off against California in Bloomington, Ind. The Golden Bears are 1-1 and coming off a 3-2 loss to No. 18 Delaware, as midfielder Allie Zimmer leads the Golden Bears with two goals.
This will be the Bobcats’ first test of the season after playing 12 games last year on the road because of construction being done on Pruitt Field.
“I’m very excited to travel this weekend because this is my first time traveling,” freshman Cassie Rich said. “I know the girls traveled a lot last season and I‘m sure things will be different (this year).”
The Bobcats will travel about 300 miles west to play a single game in Bloomington and then turn around for a three-game home stand in Athens. Although Ohio won’t play against the home team, Indiana, Macmillan felt it was beneficial for the team to get in as many games as possible this season.
“It’s a lot closer than going out to California,” Macmillan said. “We have these arrangements with these other teams in the area that are looking for games. Yes, it would be great if we could get a team like (California) to come here, but we like to support the other field hockey teams and give them a game — even if it’s not on your home side.”
With nine home games at Pruitt Field, Macmillan said the team is very satisfied with being home for a majority of its season and will only have to travel away for one of its first six games.
Against Syracuse and Boston last week, freshman Maria Russell led Ohio with two goals partnered with strong play by Clarissa Leickly and Adele Sammons. Russell is one of four freshmen who started, including Elena Curley, Rachel Kho and Rich.
“(We’ve) learned from each other,” Kho, a native of Oakville, Ontario, said. “It’s nice to have other people going through the same thing as you are. You’re not the only one getting lost, so we are all just getting lost together.”
The Bobcats were outscored by eight points last weekend, as Macmillan said the team is still acclimating to a youthful roster.
“I think you’re looking at a team that is really going to develop over the next few years,” Macmillan said. “We’ve got four that are starting and five that played a lot of minutes last weekend. So, the future is really bright with those numbers on the field.”
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