FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood field hockey kicks off the 2026 season at home on Sunday, Aug. 30, when it welcomes Queens University of Charlotte to Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field. 

• Head coach Miranda Rigg brought in seven freshmen this fall to go along with with sophomore Caitlin Meeker transferring in from LIU.
• Standout veterans like Channy Johnson and Caitlin Carraway will return this season. 
• In goal, Sophie Mooldijk will return and mentor freshman Addy Zabicki. 
• The Lancers will play seven non-conference contests this season, including Michigan State and Old Dominion in the back half of their season
• The team hopes to improve off of a 4-13 record last season.

• Senior Channy Johnson returns to the offensive end for the Lancers.
• Last season, Johnson led Longwood with 17 points on eight goals and an assist. She added game-winning goals against William & Mary and Kent State. 
• She was named to the All-MAC second team for her efforts this past season.

• Junior Sophie Mooldijk was the go-to netminder for Longwood last season. 
• Mooldijk finished the year with 176 saves, 3.78 GAA, and a 73.3 save %. 
• Mooldijk earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) twice last season. 
• In her freshman campaign, Mooldijk was named MAC Goalkeeper of the Year.

• Meghan Hyatt is taking her fifth year at Longwood. Last season, she notched two defensive saves and an assist, while starting all 17 games.
• Junior Caitlin Carraway joins Hyatt as a returning defensive starter. Carraway notched her career-first goal last season in a win over Ohio. 
• Carraway and Hyatt were named captains this season, and hope to lead the team to a MAC tournament appearance. 

• Longwood has scheduled a competitive non-conference slate, kicking off the season with a home opener against Queens. 
• The Lancers will hit the road for a Friday matchup against William & Mary, who had a 2-15 record last season. That Sunday, they will then welcome an in-state rival, Richmond, who went 12-8 in 2025. 
• Before starting conference, Longwood will play a two-game road swing facing Davidson (10-9 in 2025) and regional powerhouse Liberty (17-3 in 2025). 
• Following the start of conference play, the Lancers will hit the road and visit Michigan State, who were 5-13 in the Big Ten last year. 
• Before facing their final MAC opponent, Longwood will travel to Old Dominion, who went 8-10 in 2025. 

• The MAC will remain competitive this year, with Miami University, Massachusetts, Appalachian State, and James Madison holding down the top four preseason spots. 
• The Lancers will host Miami, JMU, Kent State, Ohio, and UMass at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field. 
• Longwood will fight to clinch a spot in the MAC tournament this year. Last year, Miami earned a berth to the NCAA Championship, advancing to the elite eight.