Season Kickoff
The UC Davis field hockey program will open its 2026 schedule with two home contests, facing Central Michigan on August 28 and UMass Lowell on August 30. Both matches are slated to start at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time, giving fans an early‑season glimpse of a team that finished the previous year with a 16‑10 overall record and a runner‑up finish in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).
Watchlist Standouts
Two Aggies earned spots on the NFHCA Division I Collegiate Watchlist, highlighting the program’s rising profile. Ella Franken, entering her final season, returns after a 2025 campaign that yielded eight goals, five assists and a total of 21 points. Joining her on the list is midfielder Morgan Caldera, who brings a blend of experience and offensive spark that helped the team to a 2‑1 victory in the 2025 championship game.
Opponents' Key Players
Central Michigan arrives with a strong offensive core, led by junior forward Carolena Ryon, who posted ten goals last season, and veteran goalkeeper Jenna Billig, now a junior who posted a .721 save percentage and 31 stops in 2025. Across the conference, UMass Lowell will rely on junior midfielder Karlijn Kerkhof, who contributed 14 goals and nine assists in 2025, and sophomore net‑minder Veerle Mous, who started all 18 games and recorded a season‑high 14 saves against Maine.
Coaching and Roster Updates
Head coach Austin Pile, the 2025 MPSF Coach of the Year, returns to lead a staff that includes former assistant Rachel Stauffer and new addition Jordan Carr. Their presence adds continuity while injecting fresh ideas. The Aggies will also field a blend of veterans — Ella Franken, Morgan Caldera and Katie Kim — alongside promising freshmen such as Clara Bruns and Charlotte Connally, who are expected to contribute immediately.
Conference Landscape
UC Davis is in its second year as a founding member of the MPSF, a league that will expand in 2026 to welcome Queens University of Charlotte. The addition signals growing regional interest and promises heightened competition as the Aggies aim to build on their recent successes and contend for the conference title.