WEST CHESTER, Pa. — The West Chester University field hockey team has been selected third in the 2026 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced ahead of the upcoming season.
The Golden Rams received one first-place vote and finished third in the preseason poll, which was led by Kutztown with seven first-place votes. Defending NCAA Division II Champion, Shippensburg, was picked second and received two first-place votes.
West Chester enters the 2026 season looking to build on a 2025 campaign that saw the Golden Rams post a 14-7 overall record and go 6-3 in PSAC play. West Chester finished fifth in the conference standings a year ago before making an impressive run through the NCAA Division II Tournament, advancing all the way to the NCAA Semifinals.
The Golden Rams' postseason success adds to the expectations surrounding the program heading into 2026, as West Chester looks to climb the PSAC standings and make another run at the conference and national postseason.
East Stroudsburg was picked fourth in the preseason poll, followed by Bloomsburg, Millersville, Mansfield, IUP, Frostburg State and Slippery Rock.
2026 PSAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Kutztown (7 first-place votes)
- Shippensburg (2)
- West Chester (1)
- East Stroudsburg
- Bloomsburg
- Millersville
- Mansfield
- IUP
- Frostburg State
- Slippery Rock
West Chester will open the 2026 season at home on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. against Assumption University. It is the first of seven home contests leading up to the home finale on Halloween. The Golden Rams will play their entire 17-game regular-season slate in 65 days from their opener to their final game on Nov. 7 at Frostburg State.
