The #7 Middlebury field hockey team, a winner of seven of the last eight NCAA Championships, begins its 2026 campaign on Saturday, September 5 against Union (N.Y.) on Peter Kohn Field. The Panthers tout a stellar 160-13 record across the past eight campaigns and made their 25th NCAA Tournament appearance a season ago. Captaining this year’s squad will be Megan Fuqua, Ally Kennedy and Claire McMichael.

Fuqua looks to help facilitate the offense from the midfield after securing NFHCA Third-Team All-American honors last fall. The senior totaled 14 goals to rank third among NESCAC peers, and her 30 points slotted her fifth. The NFHCA First-Team All-Region and All-NESCAC First Team recipient converted a team-best five penalty strokes. McMichael bolsters the group after dishing out a team-high six helpers alongside six goals, including three game-winners. Eliza Cho leads the forward unit after contributing to the NESCAC’s third-best offensive squad last year. The senior forward looks to step into a larger role after playing 23 games over her career. 

Emma McCann brings a veteran presence after tallying six scores and two assists last year. The Panther logged game-winning markers in consecutive contests against Skidmore and Connecticut College. Joining her with experience are Emma McNealy and Addie Chandler. McNealy played in every game, finding the back of the cage twice and assisting another score while logging the fifth-highest minute total on the squad (1,201). Chandler burst onto the collegiate scene during her initial campaign, slotting second in goals (eight) and points (19) while tying for the team lead with a trio of game-winners.

In goal, the Panthers return a seasoned group featuring Izzy Redzic and Madeline DiLemme. Redzic finished with a 14-6 record and turned away 63 shots over nearly 1,239 minutes. Her 1.02 goals against average (GAA) slotted fourth in the NESCAC and 19th in the nation. DiLemme has appeared in 16 contests across her first two years, including a trio last fall. The duo anchored a backline that ranked inside the top 15 spots among Division III peers in GAA (0.94).

Tessa Herbst and Lily Stockwell highlight the returners on the defensive side. Herbst, an NFHCA Second-Team All-Region and All-NESCAC Second Team honoree last fall, posted a pair of helpers and paced the squad in minutes played (1,336). Stockwell started every contest and tallied a defensive save across 1,045 minutes. Kennedy appeared in 15 contests a season ago, earning assists in back-to-back games in late September and helping solidify a strong defensive unit that allowed just 21 goals. The Panthers also welcome seven first-year players into the fold.

Katharine DeLorenzo begins her 26th campaign at the program’s helm, ranking third among active Division III coaches in career victories (501). DeLorenzo is joined by returning assistant coach Jackie Mountford and newcomer Noah den Hartog. The Middlebury staff has been recognized as the NFHCA Division III Coaching Staff of the Year in seven of the last eight seasons.