NJAC Preseason Poll

PITMAN, N.J. – The TCNJ field hockey team was picked second in the NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll, released Thursday morning by the league office.
 
Rowan received seven of the eight first-place votes to top the prognostication, while the Lions nabbed the remaining first-place ballot. Stockton was picked third, followed by Montclair State, 'dark horse' New Paltz, Kean, Ramapo, and William Paterson.
 
The Lions now turn their attention to ending Rowan's five-year run atop the conference, bringing back a stocked larder of talent to bolster their chase for a first NJAC title since 2019.
 
At the top of that list is senior Jadyn Huff, the reigning NJAC Offensive Player of the Year who earned first team All-Region and third team All-America honors after leading the league with 13 assists and ranking third with 35 total points in 2025. Huff, who ranked 13^th in all of Division III in assists per game, had two separate point streaks stretching seven and eight games a season ago and enters the new campaign with career tallies of 21 goals and 16 assists.
 
Reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Brigitte Racey also returns for a graduate year, bringing with her a resume that includes two All-Region and two All-NJAC first team accolades. The veteran netminder ranked in the top-15 in the nation in goals-against average (1.01) and save percentage (.836) last season, and enters her swan song fourth in program history in saves (246) and seventh in starts (52).
 
Junior Rachael Tetzlaff, already the program's all-time leader with 16 defensive saves after racking up 10 a year ago, anchors the defense, while returning All-NJAC performer Isabel Maher headlines a stellar midfield that also includes a pair of returning starters in juniors Prisha Dhruve (3 goals, 8 assists in 2025) and Avery Vacca.
 
Kara Wilson, who tied for second on the team with 11 goals, is back for her senior season alongside Huff in the attack, while sophomore Lindsey Hoffman (2 goals, 4 assists) made a major impact during the second half of her rookie campaign. Senior Codie Sciacca made 11 starts in 2025, posting two goals and two assists.

"The 2026 TCNJ field hockey team is made up of a strong group of returners who will do a fantastic job of mentoring and leading our newcomers," head coach Sharon Pfluger said. "The team possesses incredible potential, and we are excited about what we can accomplish together."

The Lions open the 2026 campaign at Catholic on Wednesday, September 2, with the home opener set for Saturday, September 5 against DeSales.