Preseason Favorites
Rowan University entered the 2026 NJAC Field Hockey Coaches Poll as the clear favorite, capturing seven of eight first‑place votes and securing the No. 14 spot in the NFHCA Division III Preseason Coaches Poll. The program, fresh off a championship season, returns a core group of veterans who have already proven their ability to compete at a high level.
Among the standouts are Sydney Kowalczyk and Gracie Merrick, who headline a potent attack that blended experience with emerging talent in the previous campaign. Their contributions helped the team maintain a defense that limited opponents to fewer than two goals per game, a statistic that bodes well for another deep tournament run.
The 2026 NJAC Tournament will feature five teams, with quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches slated for November 2, 4 and 7. The champion will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship, adding an extra layer of intensity to each contest as squads vie for both conference pride and national exposure.
Stockton, TCNJ and Montclair State round out the top four in the preseason rankings, each bringing back key contributors. Stockton’s offense will rely on impact forwards Brooke Ruiz and Riley DeMarco, who combined for 17 goals and 41 points last season. TCNJ returns 2025 Offensive Player of the Year Jadyn Huff, who posted 35 points, 11 goals and 13 assists, while Montclair State’s Natalie Surma, an honorable‑mention forward, contributed 12 points and five goals, including three game‑winners.
A new entrant, New Paltz, will make its inaugural appearance in the conference, with Ashley McGough leading the offense. McGough’s 20 points and nine goals last year signal a promising start for the program, which could shake up the established hierarchy.
Between the posts, goalkeepers will be pivotal. Stockton’s Erika Roura posted a .712 save percentage across 20 starts, while TCNJ’s Brigitte Racey logged a .836 save percentage and six shutouts. Montclair State’s Sydney White made a conference‑high 162 saves, posting an .810 save percentage, underscoring the depth of talent protecting the net.
Overall, the preseason landscape suggests a competitive race for the conference title, with Rowan’s experience and depth pitted against the rising ambitions of Stockton, TCNJ, Montclair State and newcomer New Paltz. The expanded tournament format and the promise of an automatic NCAA berth are sure to heighten the stakes as the season unfolds.