Rock Hill, S.C.----The South Atlantic Conference announced the preseason South Atlantic Conference field hockey poll Friday morning, with the Wingate University Bulldogs checking in at number four in the poll voted on by the league's head coaches. In addition, five players have earned SAC Player to Watch accolades –
Alex Bevan-Xenelis,
Jordyn Buntin,
Grace Gerner,
Sam Pearson and
Charne Steyn.
Newberry is the preseason favorite, earning six of the seven first-place votes after advancing to the national title game in 2025. Lander is second, collecting the other first-place vote, followed by Belmont Abbey. Wingate is fourth, with Converse, Coker and Barton rounding out the poll.
The Bulldogs went 11-7 last season, with a 6-4 record in league play. Wingate advanced to the SAC Tournament semifinals after a 1-0 victory over Converse in the quarterfinals.
The 'Dogs open the 2026 season with five straight home games. Wingate welcomes IUP and Frostburg State to town next weekend, hosting IUP Friday, Sept. 4 at noon, then taking on Frostburg State Saturday at noon. The Bulldogs open league play Sept. 12, hosting Converse at 1 p.m., while hosting Lander the following Saturday at 1 p.m.
SAC Preseason Field Hockey Poll | Rnk | Team | Points |
| 1 | Newberry (6) | 60 |
| 2 | Lander (1) | 55 |
| 3 | Belmont Abbey | 53 |
| 4 | Wingate | 46 |
| 5 | Converse | 40 |
| 6 | Coker | 33 |
| 7 | Barton | 32 |
Preseason Players to Watch Wingate Sam Pearson, Sr., F, Johannesburg, South Africa
Charne Steyn, Sr., MF, Benoni, South Africa
Jordyn Bunting, Jr., MF, Delmar, Md.
Grace Gerner, Jr., F, Millersville, Pa.
Alex Bevan-Xenelis, Sr., MF, Quakertown, Pa. Barton Mia Ogg
Kiyomi Nettles
Madelyn Lowery
Caitlyn Brogan
Brynn Gill
Belmont Abbey Sarah Schumacher, D, Sr., Cologne, Germany
Lily Willard, GK, R-Sr., Coatesville, Pa.
Bella Hite, F, Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Isabel Stankiewicz, M, Jr., Ashburn, Va.
Sophia Coleman, F, So., Annapolis, Md.
Coker Aleena Januchowski, F, Sr., West Seneca, N.Y.
Skylar Ponik, F, Sr., Lincroft, N.J.
Kelcie Gannon, D, Jr., Pasadena, Md.
Angelina Belosio, Jr., Buenos Aires, Argentina
Remi Morgan, Fr., Pasadena, Md
Converse Chelsy Bunse, Sr., MF/D, Oberhausen, Germany
Edith Swaan, Jr., F/M/D, Leidschendam, Netherlands
Alina Puentes, Sr., GK, King George, Va.
Autumn Kern, So, MF, Lubsy, Md.
Brooke Burgin, So., F, Asheville, N.C.
Lander Avrie Arnfeld, Fr., M/F
Olivia Bond, Jr., D, Owings, Md.
Davyn Swindells, Fr., F
Leira Van Tilburg, Sr., D, Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands
Talia Packham, M, So., Chersey, England
Newberry Parker Keeler, Sr., F, Bridgeville, D.E.
Payton Keeler, Sr., M, Bridgeville, D.E.
Wibien Dahmen, Sr., F, Bavel, Netherlands
Amber Tozana, Fr., Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Emma Swatski, Jr., M/D, New Holland, Pa.
