The University of Richmond's field hockey program is projected to finish second in the Atlantic 10 conference for the 2026 season, according to the preseason coaches poll released this week.
Saint Joseph's sits atop the poll with 44 points, while Richmond accumulated 42 points, underscoring a tightly contested race for the conference crown.
Preseason Honors
The conference also announced its preseason All‑Conference team, featuring seniors Clara Larripa and Valen Luna Paratore, who were recognized for their standout performances in the previous year.
Larripa, a native of Buenos Aires, led the offense with 20 goals and eight assists in 2025, earning All‑America Third Team and All‑A10 Championship Team honors.
Luna Paratore contributed 12 points, including five goals and two assists, and secured a second straight spot on the All‑Conference First Team.
Her game‑winning goal in double overtime against VCU helped Richmond share the regular‑season championship, a moment that highlighted her clutch performance under pressure.
Home Opener and Schedule
Richmond will open its 2026 campaign with home matches against Queens and NFHCA‑ranked No. 6 Duke, and all home games at Crenshaw Field are free to the public.
Live streams of the games will be available on ESPN+ and Atlantic10.com for international audiences, ensuring broad coverage of the team's progress.
Looking Forward
With the experience of its senior leaders and a favorable schedule, the team aims to translate preseason optimism into a championship run, building on its 2025 success that saw a share of the regular‑season title.