Slippery Rock University’s field hockey program is positioned 10th in the 2026 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference preseason coaches’ poll, a placement that underscores both the program’s recent growth and the stiff competition within the league.
The Rock returns 16 athletes from a 5‑12 season a year ago, among them All‑PSAC honoree Lucy Hutchinson, who contributed five goals in 13 games, and veteran midfielder Hilary Hoffman, a 2024 All‑PSAC selection with 24 career points. Midfielder Haylie Sucharski, who ranked 11th nationally in defensive saves in 2025, adds depth to a unit that saw 11 of its returning players appear in at least 13 contests last year.
Key Players and Coaching Staff
Head coach Missy Revesz, a nine‑year veteran now in her second year leading the program, will be assisted by Alex Pennington, who brings experience from Wagner College as the team’s goalkeeper coach. The trio will oversee a roster that includes three goalkeepers, highlighted by Sam Black, a former Division I net‑minder who transferred from Wagner.
The 2026 schedule features an 18‑game slate, balanced with nine non‑conference matchups and nine PSAC contests. Slippery Rock opens the season with four straight home games against Frostburg State, Coker, Lander and Converse, providing an early opportunity to build momentum.
Conference dynamics add another layer of intrigue: Kutztown University earned seven first‑place votes to claim the top spot, while defending national champions Shippensburg University settled for second with two first‑place votes, and West Chester University followed in third. The PSAC has produced 31 of the last 36 national champions, making each preseason ranking a predictor of potential title contention.