Sacred Heart Picked Third in NEC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
8/7/2026 12:14:00 PM | Field Hockey
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – The Sacred Heart University field hockey team has been selected to finish third in the 2026 NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced Friday.
The Pioneers received one first-place vote in the poll. Wagner was selected as the preseason favorite with three first-place votes, while Quinnipiac earned five first-place votes to claim the second spot.
Sacred Heart enters the 2026 season looking to return to the NEC Tournament after narrowly missing the postseason a year ago, finishing fifth in the conference standings. The conference welcomes back Quinnipiac, which joins the NEC after competing in the BIG EAST, while 2025 NEC Champion Fairfield departs for the CAA.
The Pioneers return several key contributors from last season, including reigning NEC Goalkeeper of the Year Brianna Cooper. Also back are All-NEC First Team selection and NFHCA All-Region honoree Celia Benson, along with leading scorer Hailey Vogt, who enters her senior season after pacing Sacred Heart in goals last year.
2026 NEC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
The Pioneers received one first-place vote in the poll. Wagner was selected as the preseason favorite with three first-place votes, while Quinnipiac earned five first-place votes to claim the second spot.
Sacred Heart enters the 2026 season looking to return to the NEC Tournament after narrowly missing the postseason a year ago, finishing fifth in the conference standings. The conference welcomes back Quinnipiac, which joins the NEC after competing in the BIG EAST, while 2025 NEC Champion Fairfield departs for the CAA.
The Pioneers return several key contributors from last season, including reigning NEC Goalkeeper of the Year Brianna Cooper. Also back are All-NEC First Team selection and NFHCA All-Region honoree Celia Benson, along with leading scorer Hailey Vogt, who enters her senior season after pacing Sacred Heart in goals last year.
2026 NEC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Wagner (3)
- Quinnipiac (5)
- Sacred Heart (1)
- Rider
- LIU
- Stonehill
- Merrimack
- Mercyhurst
- New Haven
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, November 12
Tuesday, April 16
Friday, March 08
Friday, February 23
