May 7, 2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio - After advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third-consecutive season in 2011, the Ohio State field hockey team now has its focus on a new season this fall as the squad will play eight games at its own Buckeye Varsity Field in Columbus. The Buckeyes will face a tough slate of teams, including six opponents that advanced to the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
"We are excited to play another strong schedule this year," head coach Anne Wilkinson said. "Our opponents represent eight different conferences from around the country which gives us a chance to see many different styles of play. This will prepare us for the Big Ten season."
The team will look to continue to protect its home turf in 2012 after recording a combined 19-9 record at home the last three seasons. The 2012 campaign will mark the third season Ohio State has played at its new facility - Buckeye Varsity Field.
The Buckeyes open the 2012 campaign with four games on the road, beginning with two games in Durham, N.H., against UMass and New Hampshire Aug. 25 and Aug. 26, respectively. Following its opening weekend, the Scarlet and Gray will travel back to the east coast for a game at American Aug. 31 followed by a big road test at Maryland Sept. 2 - the two time defending NCAA champions.
Ohio State will open its home schedule vs. in-state opponent Miami (Ohio) Sept. 9 before traveling away from Columbus at Ohio Sept. 12 and at Bucknell Sept. 16. The Buckeyes return home for two weeks during a four-game home slate, taking on Kent State Sept. 19 followed by their Big Ten opener vs. Northwestern Sept. 21. After facing the Wildcats, the Scarlet and Gray will host two non-conference games against Missouri State Sept. 23 and Robert Morris Sept. 26.
After its first Big Ten road test at Iowa Sept. 30, the squad will begin the final month of the regular season at home against Michigan State Oct. 5 and Ball State Oct. 7. The Buckeyes will then play two key Big Ten games at conference-rival Michigan Oct. 14 and at home against Penn State Oct. 19. The game against the Nittany Lions, which will conclude the 2012 home schedule, will be a rematch of the 2011 Big Ten Tournament final.
Ohio State will play its last two games of the regular season on the road at Louisville Oct. 22 before traveling to Bloomington, Ind., to face the Hoosiers Oct. 27.
Postseason action begins with the 2012 Big Ten Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa, Nov. 1-4. The first and second rounds of the 2012 NCAA Tournament will be held Nov. 10-11 at a site to be determined, while the semifinals and national championship game will be played Nov. 16-18, respectively, in Norfolk, Va.
