The 2026 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) field hockey preseason poll has positioned Dean College as the clear favorite, while Saint Joseph's College of Maine secured the second spot with 86 points and two first‑place votes.
Preseason Favorites and Early Outlook
Third‑year head coach Theresa Arsenault will guide the Monks, who finished as runners‑up in 2025, aiming to translate that near‑miss into a championship run.
Returning All‑Conference midfielder Katie Yeaton, a sophomore from Farmington, Maine, and freshman forward Ava Markham, the 2025 Rookie of the Year from Belfast, headline a talented attacking core, alongside senior goalie Kimberly McLaughlin, who anchors the defense.
Schedule and Postseason Path
The season opens with non‑conference fixtures on September 1, followed by conference play beginning September 19, leading into a postseason schedule that culminates with the GNAC championship on November 7 and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III tournament.
Beyond the immediate schedule, the Monks' blend of experience and fresh talent places them in a competitive conversation with the league's traditional powers, setting the stage for a potentially historic campaign.