A Dominant Preseason
The 2026 BIG EAST preseason coaches' poll has crowned Liberty University's Lady Flames as the clear front‑runners, awarding them six first‑place votes and a total of 36 points.
Junior defender Dara Semmartin, hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was named the 2025 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and earned a unanimous spot on the All‑BIG EAST first team. She set a new program record with 16 assists, ranking ninth nationally and first in the conference for assists per game.
In goal, sophomore Diane Saint Martin from Paris, France, captured the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year honor for the second straight year. Her 0.88 goals‑against average broke the program record and placed her eighth nationally in save percentage.
The Lady Flames also saw junior forward Josefina Tomasi and sophomore midfielder Julieta Tornati earn second‑team All‑BIG EAST honors. Tomasi contributed seven goals and a weekly offensive award, while Tornati led the squad with three game‑winning goals.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Championship
With a fourth consecutive preseason poll victory, the Lady Flames are poised to translate early momentum into postseason success. The 2026 BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship will be hosted by Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Liberty will open its season at the University of Maine in Orono on August 28.
The team's blend of elite defense, precise midfield play, and a potent attack suggests that Liberty's dominance in the conference may continue well beyond the regular season.