The Boston Globe unveiled its annual Top 20 field hockey poll on September 2, 2026, setting the stage for a competitive upcoming season. The rankings, compiled from scores submitted to the newspaper and reviewed by its sports staff, provide an early snapshot of which programs are poised to dominate.
Season Preview
Walpole sits at the top of the list, entering the season as the three‑time defending Division 1 champion. The program’s sustained success over the past three years has cemented its reputation as the benchmark for excellence in the state.
Somerset Berkley follows in second place, having secured back‑to‑back Division 2 titles. The return of key players from last year’s championship squad suggests the team will aim to maintain its momentum and further widen the gap between divisions.
Sandwich, the Division 3 runner‑up, claims the third spot, while Franklin, the Division 1 finalist from the previous campaign, rounds out the top four. Both programs bring a depth of talent and experience that promise tight contests throughout the schedule.
Hingham rounds out the top five, recognized for its rapid improvement and strong showing in the latter half of the last season. The team’s upward trajectory indicates it could challenge the established order in the coming weeks.
The top ten also includes traditional powerhouses such as Andover, Watertown, and Lincoln‑Sudbury, each bringing a storied history and a track record of consistent performance that should shape the narrative of the season.
The poll’s methodology relies on aggregated win‑loss records, margin of victory, and strength of schedule, all evaluated by the Globe’s dedicated sports staff as of early September, providing a data‑driven snapshot before the first games are played.