MANAHAWKIN, N.J. - The Haverford College field hockey team will begin the 2026 season ranked No. 21 nationally following the release of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Preseason Coaches Poll.

The preseason recognition follows a historic 2025 campaign for the Fords. Haverford entered the national rankings for the first time since 2021 on Oct. 7 before climbing to No. 16 on Oct. 21, the program's highest national ranking since 2012.

Haverford matched the program record with 14 victories and advanced to the Centennial Conference semifinals for the first time since 2017. The Fords also recorded three victories over nationally ranked opponents, the most in a single season in program history.

Senior Erica Pardón returns to lead the Haverford attack following an impressive junior campaign. Pardón earned Second-Team All-Centennial Conference and NFHCA All-Region V Second Team recognition after leading the Fords with 26 points, tied for fifth in the Centennial Conference. She also paced Haverford with 10 assists, tied for second in the conference, while scoring eight goals. Junior goalkeeper Steph Ionescu also returns after anchoring one of the conference's top defensive units last season. Ionescu started all 20 contests and helped the Fords record seven shutouts while conceding just 22 goals, the second-fewest in the Centennial Conference.

Ionescu ranked second in the conference with a 1.05 goals-against average and an .809 save percentage. Her six individual shutouts were the third-most among Centennial goalkeepers. She was named the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week once and received NFHCA Division III Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention recognition twice.

Reigning NCAA Division III national champion Tufts earned 18 of the 19 first-place votes to take the top position in the preseason poll. Johns Hopkins begins the season at No. 2, followed by Babson at No. 3. Babson received the remaining first-place vote. Christopher Newport is ranked fourth, while Bates and Salisbury are tied for fifth. Middlebury, Wesleyan, Dickinson and Endicott complete the preseason top 10.

Haverford is one of four Centennial Conference programs included in the national poll, joining No. 2 Johns Hopkins, No. 9 Dickinson and No. 16 Franklin & Marshall.

The NFHCA Division III National Coaches Poll is voted on by designated NFHCA member coaches representing each conference. The poll has no bearing on selection for the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship.

Haverford opens the 2026 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, welcoming Lebanon Valley to Swan Field for a 7 p.m. contest.

Fans are encouraged to visit HaverfordAthletics.com and follow @HCFords_Sports on X for the latest schedule updates and competition news.

2026 NFHCA Division III Preseason Coaches Poll