Old Dominion University’s field hockey squad is set to begin a demanding stretch of road games in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with matches slated for Friday, Sept. 4 and Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 against Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The Monarchs entered the fall campaign on a positive note, securing a 3‑2 victory over Ohio State and following it with a dominant 7‑0 shutout of Bellarmine, establishing early momentum for the 2026 season.
Early Season Momentum
Princeton arrives as the nation’s second‑ranked team, a status earned from an 18‑4 performance in 2025 and a preseason projection to finish atop the Ivy League, with sophomore forward Caitlin Thompson, junior forward Pru Lindsey, and senior goalkeeper Olivia Caponiti among the core returnees.
Thompson, who contributed eight goals last season, and Lindsey, who also played a pivotal role in Princeton’s attack, provide the Tigers with a blend of offensive threat and defensive stability that should prove pivotal in Chapel Hill, while Caponiti’s 48 saves and modest goals‑against average give the team a reliable last line of defense.
Penn, finishing the 2025 season at 9‑7 and having encountered six nationally ranked opponents, will meet Old Dominion on Sunday, Sept. 6, after a recent showdown with the tenth‑ranked North Carolina on Sept. 4, with senior Honor Roberts and Ruby de Frees among the key contributors expected to drive the Quakers’ performance.
The schedule intensifies after the Chapel Hill series, with Old Dominion slated to face the tenth‑ranked University of North Carolina at Karen Shelton Stadium on Sept. 11, continuing a rigorous road test that could shape the team’s trajectory throughout the year.
Coach, whose name has not been disclosed, emphasized the importance of depth and adaptability, noting that the early victories have built confidence while the upcoming contests will demand sustained focus and tactical precision.