Ohio State Opens Preseason Training in Prep for Aug. 30 Opener
8/9/2024 7:44:00 AM | Field Hockey
Buckeyes will host 10 games this season at home
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State field hockey team held its first practice of the 2024 season on Friday morning. The Buckeyes will have 21 days of preparation prior to its season-opener on Aug. 30 against UAlbany. Included in that time are two preseason scrimmages that will take place at Buckeye Varsity Field: Monday Aug. 19 vs. Ohio (3 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 25 vs. Michigan (1 p.m.).
This and That on the Buckeyes
- Ohio State is coming off one its most successful seasons in recent history, having gone 14-6 last year and 4-4 in the Big Ten while narrowly missing out of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
- Included in the Buckeyes' resume were ranked wins over No. 8 Michigan, No. 1 Iowa and No. 14 Penn State.
- Head coach Jarred Martin, who enters his eighth season leading Ohio State, welcomes back leading scorer and third team All-American Makenna Webster. Webster scored 17 goals and added 12 assists last fall.
- Overall, four of Ohio State's top six scorers return to the lineup as well as eight of 11 starters.
- The Buckeyes' offense was one of the best in the country last season: Ohio State ranked second nationally in total goals scored (62), fifth in scoring offense (3.02 goals/game) and second in penalty corners per game (8.90).
- On the other end of the field, fifth-year senior goalie Abby Danson will be back in the cage with 61 games of experience and 58 starts under her belt.
The Schedule: A Look Ahead to 2024
Ohio State will play 10 home regular season games in 2024, beginning the weekend of Aug. 30-Sept. 1 with non-conference tests against UAlbany (4 p.m.) and Bucknell (2 p.m.). It will then return home on Friday, Sept. 20 for the Big Ten opener against Michigan State. Ohio State complete 2024 schedule can be found HERE.
Admission to all games at Buckeye Varsity Field is free. Parking is available in the lots surrounding the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Nine of Ohio State's 10 home games will be streamed live on B1G+. The Buckeyes' matchup vs. Penn State on Friday, Oct. 11 will air live on BTN.
Opening Weekend Promotions
The season-opener on Aug. 30 will also serve as Ohio State's staff appreciation game. The team will also host a postgame meet and greet with fans on Friday. Sunday's contest vs. Bucknell is Military Appreciation and Pups at the Park. Visit OhioStateBuckeyes.com in the coming weeks for a full promotional schedule.
By the Numbers
5 with 50+: There are five players on Ohio State's 2024 roster who have played in 50 or more career games: Abby Danson (61), Cameryn Forgash (53), Claudia Thomas (57) and Hallie Brost (57).
70.9: The Buckeyes return 70.9 percent of their goal production from 2023. Fourteen different players scored goals last season and 10 of them are on this year's roster.
364-171: Ohio State's offense was one of the best in the country last season partly because it generated so many scoring opportunities. The Buckeyes outshot their opponents by a more-than 2-1 margin, totaling 364 shots against just 171 by their opponents. Over 60 percent of Ohio State's shots ended up on goal.
12: Ohio State's roster is represented by 12 different states. Pennsylvania has the most representatives with 12, followed by Virginia with four and Maryland and New York with three.
34: Abby Danson's 34 career wins as Ohio State's starting goalie ranks fourth best in school history. Lindsay Quintiliani is No. 1 on the list with 40 wins from 2006-09.
