ROCK HILL, S.C. – Coming off a historic run to the NCAA Division II National Championship game in 2025, Newberry was voted the preseason favorite in the 2026 SAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll, as announced by the league today.
The Wolves garnered six of the seven first-place votes and topped the poll with 60 points.
Lander earned the remaining first-place vote and finished second with 55 points, while Belmont Abbey came in third with 53 points.
Wingate was fourth with 46 points, followed by Converse in fifth with 40 points.
Coker came in sixth with 33 points, while Barton rounded out the seven-team poll with 32 points.
In addition to the coaches’ poll, each program selected five players to watch heading into the 2026 season.
2026 SAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- Newberry (6) — 60
- Lander (1) — 55
- Belmont Abbey — 53
- Wingate — 46
- Converse — 40
- Coker — 33
- Barton — 32
Preseason Players to Watch
Barton
Kiyomi Nettles, Jr., MF, Oceanside, Calif.
Madelyn Lowery, Sr., D, Prospect, Ky.
Caitlyn Brogan, So., D, Newport News, Va.
Brynn Gill, So., MF, Prince George, Va.
Mia Ogg
Belmont Abbey
Sarah Schumacher, D, Sr., Cologne, Germany
Lily Willard, GK, R-Sr., Coatesville, Pa.
Bella Hite, F, Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Isabel Stankiewicz, M, Jr., Ashburn, Va.
Sophia Coleman, F, So., Annapolis, Md.
Coker
Aleena Januchowski, F, Sr., West Seneca, N.Y.
Skylar Ponik, F, Sr., Lincroft, N.J.
Kelcie Gannon, D, Jr., Pasadena, Md.
Angelina Belosio, Jr., Buenos Aires, Argentina
Remi Morgan, Fr., Pasadena, Md.
Converse
Chelsy Bunse, Sr., MF/D, Oberhausen, Germany
Edith Swaan, Jr., F/M/D, Leidschendam, Netherlands
Alina Puentes, Sr., GK, King George, Va.
Autumn Kern, So., MF, Lusby, Md.
Brooke Burgin, So., F, Asheville, N.C.
Lander
Avrie Arnfeld, Fr., M/F, Orefield, Pa.
Olivia Bond, Jr., D, Owings, Md.
Davyn Swindells, Fr., F, Pittston, Maine
Leira Van Tilburg, Sr., D, Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands
Talia Packham, So., M, Chertsey, England
Newberry
Parker Keeler, Sr., F, Bridgeville, Del.
Payton Keeler, Sr., M, Bridgeville, Del.
Wibien Dahmen, Sr., F, Bavel, Netherlands
Amber Tozana, Fr., Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Emma Swatski, Jr., M/D, New Holland, Pa.
Wingate
Sami Pearson, Sr., F, Johannesburg, South Africa
Char Steyn, Sr., MF, Benoni, South Africa
Jordyn Bunting, Jr., MF, Delmar, Md.
Grace Gerner, Jr., F, Millersville, Pa.
Alex Bevan-Xenelis, Sr., MF, Quakertown, Pa.