EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern field hockey will enter its 2026 season ranked first in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) preseason poll, the organization announced on Tuesday morning.
The Aug. 25 ranking marks NU’s second-ever and second-straight unanimous preseason No. 1 ranking from the NFHCA. It is the fourth season in the past five years (2022, 2024, 2025) that the Wildcats hold the top spot heading into regular-season competition.
The principal preseason ranking comes after NU claimed its third national title, and second in a row, last November when the ‘Cats defeated Princeton in double overtime. In their 2025 NCAA Championship season, the Wildcats spent seven weeks in the number one spot.
Eight of the 18 opponents on Northwestern's regular-season schedule are ranked in the preseason top 20, including No. 3 Princeton and five from the Big Ten.
Northwestern begins its 2026 campaign on Friday, Aug. 28 at noon CT, hosting VCU at Lakeside Field. The Wildcats then take on Lafayette College at home on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT.
The season-opening weekend will feature Banner Day and Kids’ Day on Friday and Sunday, respectively, with free admission and giveaways. Both games will be streamed on B1G+.
Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll — August 25, 2026 (Preseason)