Buckeyes in the Inside Lacrosse preview for a sneak peak at the 2012 season

No. 16 Ohio State

With a new schedule comes new positions to fill for the Buckeyes this season. The team welcomed 10 freshmen and two transfers and coach Alexis Venechanos is trying to incorporate them into the mix.
“It’s been great. We are having a lot of competition all over the field and we have a lot more opportunities in the midfield, which is exciting,” Venechanos said.
Last year the Buckeyes were limited in their midfielders but limitation is obviously not an issue this year since they are well supplied with a good amount of middies. Venechanos is excited to play a lot more players than they have in the years past because the team is larger.
There's more youth on the field, which Venechanos says is exciting for the Buckeyes because the girls will be getting more experience.
“I think there is a strong chemistry on and off the field with the team, and we are meshing really well with most of our team being brand new,” she says.

Best Bet:

Senior Alayna Markwordt was one of the better attackers in the country last year and has the potential to be one of the best this year.
As an ALC rookie of the year her freshman year and second team All-American last year, Venechanos believes Markwordt has all of the qualities that make her special.
“She is hard to stop when she has the ball and when she doesn’t have the ball she is a threat as a feeder or dodger, especially on the crease, she’s really quick,” Venechanos says.

Sleeper Pick:

With a new emphasis on midfield play and talent at the position, the midfield as a whole could surprise some teams this season.
“I can't in particular name one person," says Venechanos. "But I think there are many opportunities for a lot of our midfielders to score more goals, where in years past attackers scored majority of the goals."

Game to Watch:

On March 31, the Buckeyes are looking forward to playing against Northwestern in the home of the New England Patriots.