2026 NFHCA Division I Preseason Watchlist Unveiled
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) has announced its 2026 Division I Preseason Watchlist, a roster of 14 standout student‑athletes from the Mid‑American Conference (MAC) who are being watched closely as the upcoming season takes shape.
Leading the group, the University of Massachusetts contributed six athletes, while Appalachian State, Bellarmine and Ohio each placed two players on the list, and Central Michigan and James Madison each added a single representative.
The selections were made by NFHCA member coaches who considered athletes who had earned recent honors such as All‑Region, All‑America, All‑Conference, Senior Nexus Championship, NCAA Tournament team honors or spots on U.S. national or international rosters within the past two years.
The watchlist is intended to spotlight both returning veterans and emerging talents who could shape the 2026 campaign, though inclusion does not assure future NFHCA postseason accolades.
Among the named athletes are Sophia Baxter, Calista Schwartz and Amy Stripling from Appalachian State and Bellarmine, Luna Tuncay and Mora Rulli from Bellarmine and Central Michigan, Brynna Hill from James Madison, and a group of UMass standouts including Emily Barrett, Chiara Curcio, Amber Fairon, Cara Falconer, Niamh McKenzie and Elani Sherwood. Ohio’s Tiana Nhamoinesu and Iona Roderick round out the cohort.