Youth and Experience Highlight the Buckeye Midfield – Ohio State Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State midfield group features a mix of young and old but talent across the board.

2020 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Peyton McNamara is back healthy, as is Norway native Kine Flotre. McNamara scored six goals and had three assists during a spectacular freshman campaign but played in just five matches last season due to injury. Flotre also played in all 14 matches in her first season, registering three goals and an assist. Last year, she was showing glimpses of the special talent that caught head coach Lori Walker-Hock’s eye as a recruit but was sidelined with an injury midway through the year.

Both McNamara and Flotre are back and should anchor a midfield that also returns senior captain Emaly Vatne, fellow senior Kitty Jones Black and junior Christin Baumbick. Vatne played in all 20 games last season, appearing both in the midfield and on the forward line. She scored a goal and had four assists last season but her biggest contribution to this year’s team is her leadership. A veteran of 62 games, the Sterling Heights, Mich., native will bring a calming presence both on and off the field. Jones Black started 17 of the 20 matches last season and was third on the team with five assists. Baumbick appeared in 16 matches and scored her first collegiate goal in the 2-1 win at Maryland.

All three newcomers in the midfield should challenge for time this right away. Ella Giannola is a talented midfielder from Ladera Ranch, Calif. She has great vision and can play at any of the three midfield positions. Kira Watase is a native of Mililani, Hawaii and played her club soccer for Whitfield SC. Gabriela “Guzzy” Rotolo was one of the top prospects in the Columbus area. She is a powerful player and is an asset in many ways on set pieces.

Associate head coach Brian Jankowski’s thoughts on the midfielders

Peyton McNamara
Missing most of last season with injury, Peyton is healthy and ready to attack this fall. She has reached several milestones in her career thus far, including being named B1G Freshman of the Year as well as playing with the Jamaican youth and full national teams. Peyton is a dynamic midfield player that not only supports the attack but can join the attack from her midfield position. She is a competitor and has the attitude and demeanor of a champion.

Kine Floetre
This tricky Norwegian will return to the Buckeye midfield continuing to connect the lines as she has the last two seasons. Kine missed the second half of…