LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – IUP field hockey enters a new era in 2026 under first-year head coach Stephen Hamill, as the Crimson Hawks were picked eighth in the PSAC preseason coaches poll.
IUP will look to build on a postseason appearance in 2025 while replacing All-American attacker Jess Davidson, who led the Crimson Hawks with 12 goals last season.
Despite Davidson's departure, the Crimson Hawks return six players who scored multiple goals in 2025, led by senior Lilly Fringer and sophomore Hayven Mumma. Fringer and Mumma each scored five goals last fall and return as All-PSAC selections.
IUP also returns goalkeeper Celeste Pagliaroli, who started all 16 games in 2025. Pagliaroli made 50 saves and posted a 1.16 goals-against average while helping the Crimson Hawks return to the PSAC Tournament.
The postseason appearance marked IUP's third since 2021 and capped a strong finish to the 2025 campaign. The Crimson Hawks earned their first road victory over West Chester in program history before returning to face the Golden Rams in the opening round of the PSAC Tournament.
IUP pushed West Chester to double overtime in the postseason matchup before falling on a goal at the 77:45 mark.
The Crimson Hawks will look to carry that momentum into Hamill's first season at the helm. Hamill takes over an experienced group with several key contributors returning on both ends of the field.
IUP opens the 2026 season in North Carolina with two games at Wingate University, facing Wingate and Belmont Abbey.
The Crimson Hawks will make their home debut Sept. 12 against D'Youville at Miller Stadium.
2026 PSAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
- Kutztown (7)
- Shippensburg (2)
- West Chester (1)
- East Stroudsburg
- Bloomsburg
- Millersville
- Mansfield
- IUP
- Frostburg State
- Slippery Rock
