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Field Hockey: Taylor Brown Was Born To Score Goals
By: Marlowe Alter
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Last season, she hammered home the game-winner to upset sixth-ranked Ohio State in Columbus.
Ten days later, she scored in overtime to carry the Bobcats over eighth-ranked American.
And her overtime score vs. Lafayette sent Ohio to the NCAA Tournament and was voted Best Play of the Ohio Athletics 2011-2012 season at the inaugral Catspy Awards.
This year, senior forward Taylor Brown began her final season in green and white right where she left off, scoring two goals in the opening game of the season to earn MAC Offensive Player of the Week for the first week of September.
“It’s a great feeling to win the award,” said Brown, who has now earned the honor of player of the week in each of her last three seasons. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. It’s nice to know Ohio is being recognized.”
Coming off an unforgettable season in which the Bobcats tied a program record with 19 wins, Ohio is looking to Brown to lead the team to a second consecutive MAC Championship title. Last season, she finished second in the MAC with 15 goals and fourth in points with 33.
“I think we can do even better this year because we have a lot of people coming back. We expect to win,” she said confidently.
In Saturday’s 9-0 rout of Radford, Brown’s goal early in the match tied her with former Bobcat Andrea Voros for fifth place all-time with 34 goals in her career.
“That’s awesome,” said Brown when she heard she was now fifth all-time in goals scored at Ohio. “Being able to be up there with those top players, it’s a cool feeling and it’s nice to know the hard work that I’ve put into this game is paying off.”
A two-time MAC First Team selection, Brown, originally from Elkton, Md. began her journey to Ohio at Caravel Academy high school in Delaware, where she scored 61 goals. Brown said her ability to score has always been her biggest strength. Yet with all she has accomplished, Brown has stayed humble.
“I can improve in every aspect of the game. It’s about going to that next level with fitness skills, power, everything really.”
Eighth year head coach Neil Macmillan heaped praise on Brown’s abilities on and off the field.
“She can hit a ball harder than anyone else I know. Her finishing ability and her hands are great weapons for us. She’s just a phenomenal scorer.”
But it’s Brown’s knack for scoring clutch goals that had her coach grinning.
“Taylor wants the ball when the chips are down and we need something to happen up front…she’s special.”
With a full season ahead of her, Brown will have a chance to add to her storied career and go down as one of the best field hockey players in Bobcat history.