Three Buckeyes Are Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch
8/23/2023 2:09:00 PM | General, Field Hockey
Ohio State begins its 2023 season this weekend at Lehigh and Lafayette
COLUMBUS, Ohio – With the start of the 2023 season just two days away, the Big Ten on Wednesday announced its preseason Players to Watch list. Included one it were a trio of Buckeyes: fifth-year senior Leanne Bough, senior Abby Danson and senior Makenna Webster.
In all, 24 student-athletes from the eight field hockey-playing schools from around the conference made the list. Ohio State begins its season on Friday, Aug. 25 when it takes on Lehigh at 6 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pa. The Buckeyes also play on Sunday, at Lafayette, before opening the home portion of its schedule on Friday, Sept. 1 against New Hampshire.
Bough, from Whitney Point, N.Y., has played in 68 career games, making her one of the most experienced players not only on Ohio State's 2023 roster but also in the Big Ten. She had her best statistical year last fall, finishing with 19 points on eight goals and three assists. A two-time All-Big Ten and NFHCA All-Region selection, Bough is Ohio State's active career leader in points (37) and goals scored (16).
Danson started all 19 games in goal last fall for the scarlet and gray, notching a 1.12 goals against average, .790 save percentage and Big Ten-leading six shutouts. Her goals-against average and save percentage were among the best in the country, ranking fourth and sixth respectively. In the career record books, Danson's .698 save percentage ranks seventh in school history.
Webster made an instant impact in her first year with the program last fall. The St. Louis native, who also is a member of Ohio State's women's ice hockey team, played in all 19 games and started 15 times while producing 15 points (six goals, three assists). Her top game came late in the season, as she had a hat trick in a 5-1 victory at Bellarmine. As a hockey player, Webster scored 15 goals and added 24 assists in helping the Buckeyes reach the national championship game.
