Coach Neil Macmillan has implemented a system where the Bobcats aren’t assigned specific positions over their careers, they play where they think they fit.
If one was to look at the Bobcats’ roster, he or she would find names listed numerically along with their grade and hometown.
One bit of information that is missing, however, is the position each plays.
Neil Macmillan, who is now in his 10th year coaching at Ohio, urges and applies diversity to his team.
“(Macmillan) allows us the opportunity to succeed in all areas of the field,” freshman Cassie Rich said. “He plays us where we fit and where our skills can be the strongest.”
In terms of positioning, a standard formation consists of three on the forward line, four on the midfield and three on the backline.
So whether it’s being on the backline, midfield or in goal, Macmillan has a knack for placing his players where he sees fit. This is evident from his preparation and expectations for his players to adapt and play different positions throughout their careers.
For example, Caelyn Hartley, a senior from Escondido, California, played on the forward line in 2013, but switched to midfield after Macmillan made a lineup change in the offseason.
So far, Hartley has notched an assist and a shot on goal in three games, compared to her 13 shots on goal and two assists in the previous two seasons.
Hartley said she is at her best when she is playing the frontline, but doesn’t mind playing multiple positions.
“The team should be versatile enough to play multiple positions,” Macmillan said. “You look at a player like (Hartley), who’s on the forward line and probably won’t play defense, but really could play on either side.”
Lauryl Desch, a redshirt senior who hails from Charlottesville, Virginia, is another Bobcat who has shown her diverse arsenal in the past four seasons. Desch has played sweeper throughout her career, but has also obtained 12 shots on goal and two goals, to go along with her three defensive saves.
For freshmen like Rachel Kho, learning to play every position on the field has been a learning process, but also engaging.
“I think it’s good to experience everything on the field,” Kho said. “You never know where you’re going to be put in a game. Like if someone gets hurt, you need to be ready to go in and play.”
Over the years, Macmillan has utilized this tactic to generate the most from his team. Of the 11 players in their second or third year in Macmillan’s system, eight of them have had at least one shot on goal in their career.
Of the 11, two of those are goalies Brittany Walker and Lina Trucco, who, of course, don’t have many opportunities to score.
Historically, Macmillan has produced three players who were named Mid-American Conference Players of the Year — the last being Luli Gomez Teruel in 2013. His system of having a variety of players shooting and defending also has led the Bobcats to four MAC titles.
“I like players to change over their four years here,” Macmillan said. “You often see somebody start on the outside, maybe start as a forward and work their way back into the midfield. Then their senior year, you have those players playing in the backfield because they’re very well versed in how our tactics are.”
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