Newtown, Pa. (Field Hockey) - The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom coaches have released their preseason poll ahead of the 2026 field hockey season, and defending conference champion Stevens is the heavy favorite to keep its run going.
Stevens claimed seven of the nine possible first-place votes and totaled 63 points to top the preseason poll. The Ducks enter the season looking to extend a run that has produced three straight MAC Freedom titles, most recently a 3-0 win over Misericordia in last year's championship match.
DeSales was picked second with 53 points, followed by Lebanon Valley in third with 51 points and two first-place votes of its own. Misericordia rounds out the top four at 40 points, with Marywood just behind in fifth at 39.
The full preseason order: Stevens (63 points, 7 first-place votes), DeSales (53), Lebanon Valley (51, 2 first-place votes), Misericordia (40), Marywood (39), Delaware Valley (29), Arcadia (23), FDU-Florham (18) and King's (8).
2026 MAC Freedom Season Preview
Stevens enters the fall looking to extend a run that has produced three straight MAC Freedom titles, punctuated by a 3-0 win over Misericordia in November's championship match that sent the Ducks to their first-ever meeting with Amherst in the NCAA Tournament. Stevens placed seven players on the 2025 All-MAC Freedom teams and brings back a loaded core even after losing First Team forward Gabi Moroney and goalkeeper Lily Wierzbicki to graduation. Reigning MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Flynn returns as a senior after First Team honors, joined by fellow First Team returners Sophia Cozza and Molly DiCampli, both juniors heading into their senior seasons. Second Team junior-turned-senior forward Taylor Brooks, who scored in the championship match, and MAC Freedom Tournament MVP Aleah Dinmore, a junior defender heading into her senior year, round out a deep group that makes Stevens the favorite once again.
DeSales and Lebanon Valley enter as the closest challengers, separated by just two points in the poll. DeSales reached the tournament as the No. 3 seed and returns Second Team sophomore-turned-junior forward Stephanie Pallante and midfielder Abigail Antipas, along with junior-turned-senior midfielder Alina Culver. Lebanon Valley brings back reigning MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Year Claire Weidenhammer, a junior forward heading into her senior season after leading the Dutchmen's attack, along with Second Team junior-turned-senior goalkeeper Ella Weidenhammer — a strong platform even after First Team defender Amelia Taube departs.
Misericordia rounds out the top four after reaching the 2025 championship match as the No. 2 seed. The Cougars return First Team junior-turned-senior forward Madison Lasinski, though they'll need to replace First Team midfielder Abigail O'Donnell and defender Sydney Taylor, both seniors who have since graduated.
Further down the poll, Delaware Valley, Arcadia, FDU-Florham and King's will be jockeying for that fifth and final tournament spot. Delaware Valley returns Second Team junior-turned-senior defender Jillian Collins after a fifth-place finish, while Arcadia brings back Second Team junior-turned-senior forward Mackenzie Clark. With the new play-in format putting extra weight on the four and five seeds, every result down the stretch could carry postseason implications for this group.
2025 MAC Freedom Championship Notes
Stevens entered the 2025 MAC Freedom Tournament as the No. 1 seed after a perfect 7-0 run through conference play and carried that momentum to a third straight conference title, defeating No. 2 seed Misericordia 3-0 in the championship match. Junior defender Aleah Dinmore was named MAC Freedom Tournament MVP, while Taylor Brooks, Julia Katz and Sophia Cozza each scored in the win. Stevens' defense didn't allow a shot in the first half and held Misericordia to just six total shots across their two meetings on the season. The Ducks advanced to the final with a dramatic 3-2 shootout win over Lebanon Valley in the semifinals after the teams played to a 2-2 draw through overtime, while Misericordia topped DeSales to reach the championship. With the win, Stevens earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.
2026 Season Schedule
- Season opener: September 1, 2026
- Conference play begins: October 3, 2026
- Postseason format: The top five teams in the MAC Freedom standings will qualify for the conference tournament
- Play-in game (No. 4 vs. No. 5): November 2, 2026
- Semifinals: November 4, 2026
- Championship: November 7, 2026