Ohio State Field Hockey Looking To Have Breakout Season -

Columbus, Ohio – With only 7 days until they open their season against the Ohio Bobcats in Athens the Ohio State Field Hockey team is geared up and ready to go. They started their preseason on the 8th and the girls have been hitting the weight room and running through their conditioning drills. The Buckeyes had a really good Spring and showed a lot of growth on and off the field.

But it’s not going to be an easy road for Buckeye Head Coach Jarred Martin’s team. They have one of the toughest strength of schedules in the nation and will be on the road facing several strong opponents. And losing nine seniors to graduation and having 11 freshmen coming in won’t make it any easier. But the 4 returning seniors are looking to step in and step up and lead the team.

The seniors, Casey Cole, Courtney Daniels, Kelsey Nolan, and Hannah Pany will be stepping into their new leadership roles and along with the assistance of the remarkable assistant coaches, Kate Lipton and Homero Pardi, the Buckeyes will be a strong together type team and will make a case for a big ten title.

Cole, in her junior season, Started in all 19 games for the Buckeyes and tied for the fourth-most points on the team. Daniels, also played in all 19 games last season and earned a .667 shot-on-goal percentage. Nolan, who came to Ohio State via Yale, played in all 19 games, starting in nine. She totaled 12 shots, earning a .417 shot-on-goal percentage.

The Buckeyes have had great improvements as a team, but Daniels has really shown some great play in the Spring. She brings a lot of poise and field sense to the game. Cole and Nolan will really be an impact at midfield. They are a perfect balance for each other with skill, athleticism, and a great work ethic for both of them.

Summer was very productive for OSU as they had 16 players in Columbus at some point and had a handful playing in some USA hockey training events, and eight of the freshmen were also on hand to help to acclimate to OSU.

“That will be such a benefit heading into the season,” Coach Martin stated. “Teammates get to know each other really well, they know what to expect, and they all are thinking about how to make this fall the best it can be.”

Hannah Pany was sidelined the past spring but Coach Martin knows she was able to take in a lot from the sidelines and he is looking forward to getting the young back from Schnecksville, Pennsylvania back on the field and he hopes she is able to use what she learned in her coaching role.

Adelaide Penzone, a Junior Forward from Powell, Ohio, had a great summer with USA hockey playing in the Young Women’s Tournament which features the top college players in the country. She was also honored with a selection to the USA Junior National Camp which is the selection camp for the U21 national team.

“It was very exciting to see her hard work pay off,” Coach Martin said of Penzone.

Another player Martin is looking forward to seeing on the field this year is Esther Clotet, a Junior forward/midfielder from Barcelona, Spain. She finished last year on a high note and had a very productive Spring. Coach Martin is hoping to see her have a breakout year as she started 17 games last year and led the team in game-winning goals with three, as well as tied for second in goals (5) and 13 total points.
She also tallied 35 shots (.657 shot-on-goal percentage). She will be coming in fit and ready to play and will be threatening her opponents with her skill and speed.

“We have a very tough schedule but are looking forward to this season,” said Coach Martin. “I am also looking forward to connecting with Buckeye Nation and the Field Hockey Alums! So many are coming out to the games and it means the world. This Ohio State Field Hockey family is forever and having that support for the current team means a lot.”