Davidson field hockey head coach Zoe Almquist will coach her first home game Friday when Ohio visits for a 6 p.m. contest, and it'll be against a former colleague.
Almquist and Bobcats head coach Ali Johnstone spent five years together on the coaching staff at Northwestern and even shared an office. Johnstone, who is in her second year at her alma mater, was one of the first people Almquist called when she got the Davidson job, and now the two will be facing one another in Almquist's debut at Belk Turf Field, which was already scheduled before the Wildcats' coaching hire. From left, Ali Johnstone, Zoe Almquist
and Tracey Fuchs after Northwestern's
2014 Big Ten title win
"I think it makes it even more special," said Almquist. "She's a buddy of mine. I'm excited to see her."
On Northwestern road trips, Almquist and Johnstone often teamed up in staff card games of euchre. Throughout, they learned under head coach Tracey Fuchs.
"When you have a mentor as strong as the mentor both of us had and you spend time together, you learn what the other person thinks," said Almquist.
The two share many of the same strategies and coaching philosophies, which one Wildcat noted while watching Ohio on film this week.
"It looks a lot like us," she said.
LATEST ON THE 'CATS
Davidson (0-2) is coming off a tight 1-0 loss to Ball State last Sunday. The Wildcats are seeking their first win in a home opener since 2013, when they defeated Vermont 4-3 in overtime. The last meeting with Ohio resulted in a 2-1 Bobcats win two years ago.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Ohio is 1-1 this year, having opened the season with a 4-2 win over Drexel Aug. 30 and then taking a 4-1 loss to Boston University. Four Bobcats have scored, including Leah Warren, who scored two goals vs. Drexel. Ohio was 5-12 last season and finished tied for fourth in the MAC.
UP NEXT
Davidson travels to Appalachian State Sunday for a 12 p.m. contest in Boone.
