La Salle University’s field hockey program received a boost this week as head coach Mackenzie Allessie unveiled the 2026 slate, a schedule that blends home comforts with a demanding road circuit.
Early-Season Road Tests
The plan calls for eight home contests and nine away games, giving the Explorers a balanced mix of familiar venues and challenging travel.
Beyond the numbers, the announcement carries a clear ambition: to capture the program’s first Atlantic 10 Championship since 2023, a milestone that has eluded the team for several seasons.
Key matchups dot the calendar, beginning with a home opener against Villanova on August 30, followed by road tests at Cornell on September 4 and Colgate on September 6, and a showdown with Penn on September 11.
After the early road stretch, La Salle will enjoy a three‑game homestand featuring Queens, VCU and New Haven before heading out to face Lock Haven, Rutgers and Richmond.
The latter portion of the season culminates in a final home stretch against LIU, Davidson, Columbia and Saint Louis, before the regular season wraps with road games at Bucknell, Drexel and Saint Joseph’s.
The roster underpins the optimism: 19 players return, including six seniors who have already tasted playoff near‑misses, and the coaching staff believes that experience will translate into a stronger finish.
Fans can look forward to a season that not only tests the team’s depth but also positions it to break through the conference barrier and secure a historic playoff berth.