Ohio State field hockey set to open their season at the University of Delaware

Steph Payano
Fri, 26 Aug 2016 20:34:36 +0000
Field Hockey, Sports, Carolina Vergroesen, Delaware Blue Hens, Liz Tamburro, Ohio State field hockey

OSU then-sophomore midfield/back Carolina Vergroessen (28) tries to defend the ball from California then-freshman forward Janaye Sakkas (20) during a field hockey game on Oct. 25, 2015, at Buckeye Varsity Field. Credit: Robert Scarpinito / Managing Editor

The Ohio State field hockey team opens up its 2016 season with a doubleheader against the No. 14 Delaware Blue Hens.

OSU coach Anne Wilkinson welcomes back eight starters, including junior midfielders Maddy Humphrey, Carolina Vergroesen and junior goalkeeper Liz Tamburro. Humphrey and junior midfielder Morgan Kile were the second and fourth leading scorers last year, respectively.

In games where Humphrey scored in 2015, the Buckeyes were 6-3. Vergroesen also made a strong impact last year, starting in all 19 games and average 69 minutes per contests.

OSU’s defense is also experiencing the return of key players, none more important than Tamburro. The junior led the Big Ten in saves (134) and saves per game (7.1) in 2015. Tamburro also ranks eighth in OSU history with 250 stops in only two seasons.

In front of Tamburro is trusted junior defender Caroline Rath. She ranked second nationally with eight defensive saves last fall. Together, Rath and Tamburro, were responsible for being the core of the defensive that led to three shutouts in 2015.

As for the Blue Hens, they’re coming back from clinching their third straight CAA title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament last season. Coach Rolf van de Kerkhof welcomes back nine starters and 14 letter winners. This includes senior Esmee Peet, the CAA’s Preseason Player of the Year.

OSU vs. University of Delaware History

The Buckeyes and the Blue Hens have met four times in the past and have split the contests. Their last meeting was back in 2008 at the Blue Hen Classic where OSU had a successful 2-1 win in overtime. Previous matches also include:

08/25/07: Delaware 4, Ohio State 0 (Columbus, OH)
09/02/06: Delaware 1, Ohio State 2 (Newark, Delaware)
09/12/81: Delaware 5, Ohio State 0 (Storrs, Conn.)

9/12/81 | Delaware 5, Ohio State 0 (Storrs, Connecticut)
9/02/06 | Ohio State 2, Delaware 1 (Newark, Delaware)
8/25/07 | Delaware 4, Ohio State 0 (Columbus, OH)

OSU and University of Delaware are set to face off both days this weekend at noon in Newark, Delaware.