BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — For the first time in program history, the Wagner College field hockey team is predicted to finish first in the NEC's Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the conference on Friday.
For the sixth straight season, the Seahawks garnered a top three spot in the NEC's preseason poll. The Green & White were picked to finish third in the 2021 and 2024 preseason polls and second place prior to the 2022, 2023, and 2025 seasons.
Wagner received three of the nine possible first place votes. NEC affiliate newcomer Quinnipiac landed in second with a league-leading five first place coaches votes. Sacred Heart follows with a third place finish and one first place vote.
After the Pioneers, Rider earned a fourth place finish, LIU landed fifth, Stonehill followed in sixth, Merrimack in seventh, Mercyhurst in eighth, and New Haven rounded out the poll in ninth.
Last season, the Seahawks boasted a 8-12 overall record with a conference mark of 6-3 en route to a third consecutive trip to the NEC title game.
Wagner entered the 2025 NEC Tournament as the No. 3 seed and took down No. 2 Saint Francis in the NEC Semifinal round to advance to the Championship game. Wagner would then fall to preseason favorite Fairfield in the title match two days later.
Wagner embarks on its 2026 regular season at UAlbany on Friday, August 28. The Seahawks and the Great Danes face-off at noon on Alumni Turf.
