James Madison University’s field hockey program has released its 2026 campaign, a 16‑game slate that blends competitive matchups with a heavy emphasis on conference play.
The season opens in Maryland as the Dukes travel to the Conference Cup, where they will meet Temple and Drexel to begin the year.
Cassidy Strittmatter, a former Duke player, has joined Drexel as an assistant coach, adding experience to the staff.
Seven of the contests are against teams that appear in the final NFHCA National Coaches Poll, highlighting the program’s challenging non‑conference schedule.
Ranked and championship opponents
Five games are set against programs that competed in the 2025 NCAA Field Hockey Championship, giving JMU the chance to test itself against the nation’s elite.
Nine matches will be against Mid‑American Conference opponents, and five of those will be played at the JMU Field Hockey Complex, providing a home‑field advantage.
The home schedule opens on September 6 with a game against Liberty, followed by a back‑to‑back series against Duke and Virginia the following week.
Mid‑American powerhouses such as Miami (Ohio), who are chasing an eighth straight conference championship, and Kent State, slated for a September 27 meeting, are among the opponents.
The regular season concludes with a road game at Massachusetts in Amherst, while the Mid‑American Conference Championship will be hosted by the RedHawks in Oxford, Ohio.
With a blend of ranked foes, championship‑level opponents and a robust home schedule, the 2026 campaign promises to be a pivotal one for James Madison’s field hockey program as it looks to build on recent successes.