Only two regular season games, the Mid-American Conference tournament and possible NCAA tournament games remain on the schedule, but most of the legacy the class of 2013 leaves behind has already been established.
Seniors Laura Mastro, Taylor Brown, Cathryn Altdoerffer, Marissa Higgins and Andrea Biegalski have won two MAC championships and recorded NCAA tournament experience in their first three years and hope to add to that number this season.
But that takes a back seat to what they feel they’ve accomplished within the program. The group not only has proven that Ohio is a program to be reckoned with in the MAC, but that a good attitude can go a long way to promote success.
“I think we just want to be a great example,” Mastro said. “The chemistry has brought us success in the past, and this season, it’s been successful. I just think that’s the biggest model we want to leave (to the team).”
People outside the program have noticed the connection and chemistry. Former Bobcat player and assistant Ali Johnstone, who graduated in 2002 and now is an assistant with Northwestern’s field hockey program, noticed the connection between players.
“I think they’ve done strides for the program and it’s even stronger than when I played,” Johnstone said. “The senior class came in with their own adversity to overcome, but they’re so strong and very skilled. There’s such awesome character with all of them and the program’s stronger than it ever has been before.”
Each of the players in the class presented different talents when they arrived in Athens. Brown was an elite goal scorer coming out of high school, while Aldoerffer was more of a lacrosse player who had a lot of athleticism. Mastro had a good deal of potential to work with and Higgins was a raw talent that Macmillan felt could develop into a good collegiate player.
Coach Neil Macmillan knew he had a talented class when he recruited the group, but he couldn’t predict the success the class of seniors has had so far
“We knew this was going to be a great class,” he said. “But I don’t think you really know the extent until you actually go through the process with them. But we had high hopes.”
When Brown came to play for Ohio, she just expected to have fun and play field hockey. The success she has been a part of has been a huge bonus.
However, he agrees with the notion that the members of this senior class have left a mark on the program with their attitudes that won’t soon fade away.
“I think, as a class, they are very energetic,” Macmillan said. “They have a lot of fun working hard and doing what we’ve done on the field. I think their personality will be missed. … They’re very, very lively and a great group of people to work with.”
ch203310@ohiou.edu
