2025 NCAA Field Hockey Season Preview: Division I

Jeffrey A. Camarati / UNC Athletics

A program no stranger to headlines, North Carolina looks to build upon its storied success this fall. The team was just tabbed the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) favorite, a familiar spot for the Tar Heels, who hold 11 national titles and eight consecutive conference championships. Their demand for excellence is well-known and unwavering, and after the stunning loss to Saint Joseph’s in last year’s national semifinal, the Tar Heels will be hungry to prove they still have what it takes to win it all. While mainstay players such as USWNT member Katie Dixon and defender Kelly Smith have finished their careers at North Carolina, UNC is set to return a strong roster, including a trio of 2024 All-Americans and recently named Preseason All-ACC selections.

Second-year captain Sietske Brüning, known for her circle-to-circle hustle on the midfield line, will likely continue to be a key player in every aspect of North Carolina’s gameplan. In addition, two familiar offensive powerhouses, Charly Bruder and Ryleigh Heck, look to continue their scoring dominance. Bruder, last year's ACC Tournament MVP, led the nation in 2024 in goals (27) and is a critical player on penalty corners. Ryleigh Heck, a name that needs no introduction in college field hockey, will take the turf for her senior season after finishing out last season as the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and a Honda Award Finalist. Heck will be joined by her older sister Kara Heck, a transfer from Rutgers and previously Boston College. Another solid grab from the transfer portal for the Tar Heels is USWNT athlete Dani Mendez.

A top freshmen class will also grace Carolina this fall. As head coach Erin Matson described in a recent interview with Inside Carolina, this incoming class is a unique group of “down to earth girls who “aren’t afraid of hard work.” Notably, there is top-ten ranked recruit and member of the Junior USWNT Reese Anetsberger, who spent the past spring training at Chapel Hill, in addition to U-18 USWNT player Jenna Narleski and U-21 USWNT goalkeeper Merritt Skubisz.

Duke Athletics

The Blue Devils have been an upcoming presence in college field hockey, besting conference threat Virginia in the recent ACC preseason poll to claim the runner-up spot. Last season, Duke’s veteran lineup assisted them to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on an at-large bid. 

The team will have to rely on its current national-caliber players after the loss of a majority of their starting lineup, including five of their top scorers. One notable returner is senior Alaina McVeigh, two-time All-American and this year’s lone preseason All-ACC honoree. McVeigh, alongside sophomore Madison Beach and senior Macy Szukics, recently competed at the Junior Pan American Games, helping USA to a silver finish. McVeigh tallied 11 goals, claiming the title of women's tournament top goal scorer. 

The loss of Frederique Wollaert in goal leaves big shoes to fill for the Blue Devils, who picked up graduate transfer Brooke Borzymowski of Syracuse and welcomes back Kayia Chepow and Abigail Spear. Chepow, now in her second year, demonstrated skill and composure in net to fend off conference opponents Syracuse and Boston College in tie-breaking shootouts in her rookie season.

Duke is also introducing a Max Field Hockey Top Ten ranked trio within its class of first-years. U-18 USWNT athlete Shae Wozniak comes to Durham, N.C. as the 2024 Max Field Hockey National and Pennsylvania Player of the Year, after finishing her high school career with 139 goals and 60 assists. Lily Soldan also championed her state as Michigan State Player of the Year and Midwest Region Player of the Year. Rounding it out is U-18 USWNT midfielder Sofia Fidalgo Schioppa, who capped off her high school campaign as Connecticut Offensive Player of the Year.

Michigan Athletics

After the retirement of legendary head coach Marcia Pankratz, Michigan has entered a new era under the guidance of 2025 Michigan Hall of Fame Inductee Kristi Gannon Fisher. The Wolverines are coming off the 2024 season as B1G Tournament Champions after topping eventual national champion Northwestern. Six seniors and graduate students finished their Michigan careers alongside Pankratz, including decorated players like Lora Clarke, Erin Reilly and Alana Richardson. However, returning for her final season is Abby Tamer, who led the team in points (38) last season with 12 goals and 14 assists. A familiar name in Michigan athletics, the Olympian and current USWNT athlete will captain her team this year, and hopefully continue her scoring and playmaking dominance. 

Returning junior Abby Burnett also looks to make waves after starting in the midfield in all 20 of last year’s matches. Burnett has also been a versatile athlete for the red, white, and blue –competing internationally in Indoor, Hockey5s, and on the outdoor junior team. In addition, the Wolverines have seasoned talent between the posts. Redshirt sophomore Hala Silverstein started all 20 games for Michigan in the cage last season, and combined with graduate student Caylie McMahon, tallied nine shutouts.

Michigan is welcoming a high-caliber group of newcomers to match its ranked program. Grace Hunter, a Junior USWNT member, will add to the team’s offensive arsenal. Another offensive threat making her debut in Ann Arbor, Mich. is Michigan-native Sofia Ghanbari, who led the state in goals (24), assists (14), and points (50) her senior campaign at Novi High School.

After making waves in the Atlantic 10 (A10) by being one of two teams in the conference to claim a spot in last year’s NCAA Semifinals, the Minutewomen are ready to dominate the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Despite being bested by Saint Joseph’s in the A10 Championship last season, Massachusetts entered a run for the national title on an at-large bid. The Minutewomen suffered a 1-0 semifinal exit to eventual national champion Northwestern, marking an end to their historic run. This year, Massachusetts returns Second Team All-American and A10 Goalkeeper of the Year Myrte van Herwijnen and A10 Rookie of the Year Elani Sherwood, but will be missing key pieces of the roster after the graduation of Hannah de Gast, Paula Lorenzini, and USWNT athlete Claire Danahy.

The Hawks picked up serious attention last year after dethroning North Carolina, 2-1, in the NCAA Semifinal and earning an appearance in the title game for the first time in program history. After the success of last season, Saint Joseph’s is looking to replace a powerful graduating class – Kate Crist, Julia Duffhuis, Manu Ghigliotti, and Lily Santi to name a few – with a talented group of freshmen and transfers. Head coach Hannah Prince and her staff were honored as the NFHCA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coaching Staff of the Year after the 20-4 season.

As always, Virginia has promise to make a run this season, coming in third behind North Carolina and Duke in the recent ACC Preseason Poll. With returning talent like Mia Abello, Suze Leemans, and Emma Watchilla, in addition to new and top recruits like Soren Kipphut, Bella Moore, and Caroline Raynes, the Cavaliers could have what it takes. 

Boston College, who concluded the 2024 season ranked 7th in the nation after upsetting conference foes Duke and Virginia and earning an at-large bid, also looks to continue its recent success. Eagles returners to watch include Madelieve Drion, Mia Garber, Martina Giacchino, Eva Kluskens, and ACC Goalkeeper of the Year Charlotte Kramer. Freshmen Kate Block, Alex de Cain and Sophia Sisco also look to make an impact.

A team steeped in rich hockey history, Maryland always finds its way to the top of national polls. But despite making consecutive runs in the national tournament, the Terps have not made it to the title game since 2018. Notable returners include U-21 USWNT members Maci Bradford, Ella Gaitan, and Alyssa Klebasko, and USWNT athlete Josie Holloman. Maryland secured several top recruits in Erin Callahan, Faith Everett, and Jordyn Holloman.

Ohio State had a strong previous season, finishing 12th in the national poll and notching a notable 2-1 win over Maryland. With Ohio State Female Athlete of the Year and Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) draftee Makenna Webster returning for her final year, the Buckeyes are on the prowl for some more upsets this fall. 

Back-to-back champions of the newly added Ivy League Tournament, Harvard continues to impress on the national stage. Second Team All-American defender Bronte-May Brough returns for her senior season, alongside goalkeeper Tessa Shahbo.

Alongside Harvard, Princeton dominates the Ivy League, winning last year’s regular season title with a 7-0 conference record. With Olympian and current USWNT athlete Beth Yeager returning for her senior campaign, in addition to talents like Ella Cashman and Talia Schneck, the Tigers are set for another successful season.

Stay tuned for the Division II and III season previews! Also, keep an eye out for the Penn Monto/NFHCA National Coaches Poll Division I preseason rankings, which will be released on Tuesday, August 26.