ACC field hockey - take California, Louisville, and Stanford seriously
NCAA Division I field hockey opening day is Friday. Photo: USA Field Hockey
California, Louisville, and Stanford are the only three Atlantic Coast Conference field hockey programs not mentioned in the top 20 of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association preseason poll.
California joined the ACC last season, finishing with a 7-10 overall record. Their toughest game was a 5-0 loss to North Carolina. This Friday, they kick off their 2025 campaign on the East Coast against Monmouth in West Long Branch, New Jersey, before heading to Newark, Delaware, to face Delaware.
Louisville, despite a 6-11 record in 2024, features talented players like Lauren Masters who could shake things up. Masters recently earned a silver medal with the Junior Eagles at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games and participated in the filming of "The Next Play Movie."
Filmmaker Koula Kazista praised Masters professionalism and the importance of the film, which addresses mental health in sports and is the first American field hockey narrative feature.
“Watching Lauren Masters compete at the Pan American Games is truly surreal,” said filmmaker Koula Kazista. “She joined us on ‘The Next Play’ and was an absolute pro. So personable, adaptable, and always willing to go with the ‘filmmaking flow.’ Many of the girls later thanked me for giving them the chance to be part of it, including Lauren, but the honor was all mine. I was the one grateful to work with such talented young women of such high caliber. I am so excited to show off their field hockey skills in the film.”
Louisville begins their fall season this Friday hosting Michigan State, followed by Ohio University on Sunday.
Big10, ACC, A10, and Ivy leagues lock in top 10 Division I field hockey preseason spots: NFHCA coaches poll
The Cardinals roster also features Izzy Bianco and Rylie Wollerton. They played internationlly with Masters in the Pan American tournament.
Stanford, also new to the ACC last season, finished 2024 with an 8-9 overall record. Their most challenging match was a 7-0 defeat to the 2024 National Champions, Northwestern.
This weekend, Stanford will participate in the 2025 Conference Cup at Maryland’s Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Maryland.
August 29
No. 20 Wake Forest @ No. 15 Iowa, 3:30 p.m. (ACC/Big10 Challenge)
No. 11 Syracuse vs Lock Haven, 5 p.m.
No. 8 Boston College @ Maine, 1 p.m.
No. 5 Duke vs No. 17 Liberty, 4 p.m.
No. 4 Maryland vs Stanford, 12 p.m.
No. 3 Virginia vs No. 18 Penn State, 5 p.m.
August 30
No. 8 Boston College vs. Indiana, in Maine, 1 p.m.
August 31
No. 20 Wake Forest vs. No. 7 Michigan in Iowa, 11 a.m. (ACC/Big10 Challenge)
No. 11 Syracuse vs Fairfield, 1 p.m.
No. 5 Duke @ American, 1 p.m.
No. 4 Maryland vs Villanova, 2 p.m.
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