New Paltz, NY – The New Paltz field hockey team was selected fifth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Preseason Poll, announced by the conference office Thursday morning. 

New Paltz Field Hockey enters the 2026 season set to make its NJAC debut with high expectations after being selected as the conference's dark horse. The top five teams in the regular-season standings will earn a spot in the NJAC Championship, with the tournament champion receiving the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship. 

The Hawks put together a solid 2025 campaign, collecting 10 wins while posting a 4-1 mark in SUNYAC play to earn the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. New Paltz fell to Cortland in an overtime heartbreaker in the semifinal round and finished the season with four Hawks earning All-SUNYAC honors. 

New Paltz will lean on junior midfielder Sophia Bronzi, who was selected as the Hawks' Player to Watch. The All-SUNYAC Second Team selection was a vital piece of the lineup last season, starting all 18 contests and logging more than 1,086 minutes while making an impact on both ends of the field. Bronzi also found the back of the cage against Skidmore for her first goal of the season. 

Defending NJAC champion Rowan took the top spot in the preseason poll, receiving seven first-place votes, while TCNJ placed second and earned the remaining first-place vote. Rowan enters the season ranked No. 12 nationally, while TCNJ sits at No. 25. 

New Paltz begins its quest for an NJAC championship Tuesday, Sept. 1, hosting Marywood at 4 p.m. on North Turf. The Hawks will make their NJAC debut at home Saturday, Oct. 3, when they host Kean at 11 a.m. 

******************    
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.