A fresh era begins
The 2026 field hockey season for Saint Joseph's University officially began this week as the Hawks welcomed first‑year head coach Sam Brown to the helm. The team opened its schedule with a home matchup against New Hampshire on Friday at noon, followed by a Sunday afternoon clash with the nation’s No. 11 ranked UConn squad.
Adding to the anticipation, the Hawks are slated to host New Hampshire and UConn in a double‑header that will also see the two opponents face each other at noon on Saturday at Ellen Ryan Field, creating a busy weekend for the program and its fans.
Preseason honors for the roster
The preseason accolades continued with graduate student Alison Buffington and seniors Erika Culp and Milou Kluyt earning spots on the Preseason All‑Conference Team. In addition, eight Saint Joseph's players — Buffington, Culp, Kluyt, Cat Arentz, Lily DeWan, Tristan Groff, Adele Jardemar and Monica Piccioli — were named to the NFHCA preseason watchlist, underscoring the depth of talent returning to the squad.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will test their mettle against a pair of ranked foes later in September, beginning with a showdown against No. 8 Liberty on September 4 and a subsequent game versus Drexel on September 6. With a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, the team hopes to translate its preseason promise into a strong start on the field.