After a competitive 2023 campaign, Ohio will be looking to improve upon a 6-10 overall record as it opens up the 2024 season. Ohio’s record in 2023 doesn’t reflect the team's skill. Despite 10 losses, Ohio had a handful of quality wins, including against Indiana and Kent State. It was also able to give No. 12 ranked Ohio State a tough battle that resulted in a narrow 1-point defeat.
Coming into 2024, Ohio will be tested by a tough Mid-American Conference Schedule that has a few tough non-conference games sprinkled in. To start the season, Ohio will be looking to get off on the right foot against Stanford and UAlbany this weekend.
The Bobcats will start their season in Muncie, Indiana, against the Cardinal on Friday afternoon. They will then play the Great Danes on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. Here is all you need to know for both season-opening games.
Game information
Opponent: Stanford (Friday) and UAlbany (Sunday)
Time: Friday at 3 p.m., Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Location: Muncie, Indiana (Friday), Columbus, Ohio (Sunday)
History
Ohio has matched up once with Stanford in each program's respective history, a game in 2018 that resulted in a lopsided 8-1 victory for Stanford.
For UAlbany, Ohio has had equal amounts of misfortune with two losses in two total matchups, each being one and two-point losses for Ohio.
Player to watch (Stanford)
Stanford comes off of an overall disappointing season that ended with 11 total losses. A bright spot for the Cardinal was freshman Gemma Townsend, who led the team with five goals and 13 total points. Townsend now returns as a sophomore looking to build on an impressive debut season.
Player to watch (UAlbany)
UAlbany will be a tough early-season test for Ohio. The Great Danes finished the 2023 campaign with a record of 13-6, a record that came in large part due to the performance of standout junior Alison Smisdom. Now a senior, Smisdom returns from a 23-goal and 53-point season worthy of a national All-American selection. To beat the Great Danes, Ohio will have to do what it can to slow down Smisdom and the offense.
Player to watch (Ohio)
Macy Lotze has been a stalwart for Ohio in the goal. After a career season where she recorded a career high in saves, completing 12 of her 16 starts, Lotze will once again lead the Bobcats defense. Against a team like Stanford, which lacks offensive firepower, Lotze’s real test will be against UAlbany where she will be tested by the many offensive options the team has to offer.
