Penn State’s field hockey program released its 2026 schedule on Wednesday, outlining a 17‑game regular season that includes nine contests on the familiar confines of University Park.
A Revamped Roster and Coaching Change
The campaign opens with preseason scrimmages against Bucknell and a road test at Penn before the first official game at home versus Virginia on August 28. Early in the schedule, the Nittany Lions will host Princeton on September 13, a rematch against the team that finished as the NCAA championship runner‑up last year.
The longest road stretch will see Penn State travel to face Monmouth, Bucknell and Rutgers in consecutive weeks, testing the squad’s depth and resilience.
October brings two marquee home matchups against traditional rivals Ohio State on the 16th and Michigan on the 18th, followed by the season‑ending showdown with the reigning national champions, the Northwestern Wildcats, on October 30.
Looking Ahead
The slate reflects a deliberate effort to blend home‑field advantage with challenging road trips, positioning the program to rebound from last season’s setbacks. Penn State finished 2025 with a 7‑10 overall record and a 2‑6 mark in Big Ten play, missing the conference tournament for the second straight year.
Adding to the narrative, Hannah Prince begins her first season as head coach, while longtime mentor Lisa Bervinchak Love’s contract was not renewed after three years at the helm. Fans can mark their calendars for the home games at University Park, where the atmosphere is expected to be electric as the team looks to rewrite its recent narrative and chase a Big Ten tournament berth.