Ohio State Buckeyes
Overall Rank: #24
Conference Rank: #3 Big Ten
Ohio State Team Page
Ohio State made another nice run in the NCAA Tournament during the 2011 campaign. They may not have reached the College Cup this time around, but they knocked off Tennessee in Knoxville and then beat a very talented Milwaukee squad. The Buckeyes then faced Duke in Durham, North Carolina and had the Blue Devils on the ropes at halftime. However, their 1-0 lead quickly turned into a 2-1 loss.
2011 Record: 12-9-2, 7-4-0
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Lori Walker
Strengths:
The return of Tiffany Cameron provides Coach Lori Walker with a consistent goal scoring threat. The Buckeyes are not a team that will score a lot, but Cameron will have to be the go-to-scorer again this season. The 5-5 Mississauga, Ontario native will need to provide senior leadership with the absence of do-it-all forward Paige Maxwell. Ohio State will be looking for more production from the rest of the forwards. Lauren Granberg is a returning starter and a big 5-10 senior who can do damage on the ground and in the air. Sophomore Chelsy Swackhamer could be in for a big season after scoring three goals in just 315 minutes of action as a freshman. Midfielders like Kiiri Kuld and Danica Wu will look to get involved in the offense as well. Both are solid passers and playmakers, but are also capable of putting the ball in the back of the net.
Weaknesses:
Ohio State relied very heavily on their defense during the 2011 campaign, but there will be some major changes in 2012. Besides an injury riddled 2009 campaign, Liz Sullivan has been a staple in the Buckeyes starting back line. Without her leadership, the OSU defense will take a small step back. But the news gets worse. Danielle Scoliere played a team high 2,051 minutes during her senior season at the wing back spot and keeper Katie Baumgardner is also gone. The new look defense will have to rely heavily on the leadership of senior Aly Walker and junior Megan Fuller. Those will be the two new leaders of the defense. In-between the posts junior Rachel Middleman is the likely replacement for Baumgardner. Coach Walker has also brought in a couple freshmen keepers who will battle for playing time. Jillian McVicker is the newcomer most likely to earn quality playing time right away.
Final Projection:
McVicker is not the only freshman who could make an impact right away. Defender Shelby Soldat could be one of the players who can fill the void in the back. She is a fine all-around defender and should be ready to step right into a starting role. Forwards Michela Paradiso and Marisa Wolf could help out an offense that has the problem of occasionally becoming stagnant. The Buckeyes do have a superb recruiting class and all seven newcomers could play a big role on this team. It is nice that Ohio State can replace some of their lost talent, but relying on their youth is a cause for concern. Ohio State will need to find the new leaders who can replace their losses up front and on defense if they want to make another big NCAA Tournament run.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Tiffany Cameron, Senior, F, 8
Assists: Kiiri Kuld, Sophomore, M, 5
Shots: Tiffany Cameron, Senior, F, 62
Saves: Rachel Middleman, Junior, GK, 5
Madness 2012 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#38 Shelby Soldat
#81 Michela Paradiso
#94 Jillian McVicker
#102 Marisa Wolf
