Expectations are high for St. Mary’s College of Maryland Athletics as the 2026 fall season got underway, with four Seahawk teams selected at the top of their respective United East Conference preseason polls.
Men’s soccer was selected as the conference favorite, women’s soccer shares the top spot with defending champion Penn State Harrisburg, and defending champion field hockey was picked to finish first as it pursues a third consecutive United East title. Additionally, women’s cross country landed at No. 1 as they seek a sixth straight league crown. The preseason polls were determined by votes of the conference’s head coaches.
The recognition follows a strong 2025 season for all four programs and continues the momentum of a historic year for Seahawk Athletics.
Men’s soccer enters 2026 after an undefeated 8-0 conference season and its second consecutive United East regular-season title. The Seahawks received seven first-place votes in the preseason poll, the most of any team. Head Coach Alun Oliver, the reigning United East Coach of the Year, returns an experienced group that includes All-Region selections Nick Haney and Zach Blaum.
Women’s soccer also finished 8-0 in conference play last season and advanced to the United East championship game for the second consecutive year. The Seahawks and Penn State Harrisburg each received six first-place votes and 116 points to share the top preseason position. Head Coach Peter Krech ’09 returns most of last year’s starting group, including team captains Megan Rusk, Keira O’Neail and 2025 United East Defensive Player of the Year Allie Petryszak.
Field hockey enters the season as the defending United East champion after capturing both the regular-season and tournament titles in 2025 and advancing to the NCAA Division III Championship. The Seahawks received five first-place votes and will pursue their third consecutive United East championship under Head Coach Allyson Osborne.
Women’s cross country, the five-time defending champion, earned five first-place votes and 114 points, edging Lancaster Bible College by three points for the top position. Head Coach Reava Potter returns four of their five scoring runners from the championship meet, including First Team All-United East performer Ella Mitchell leads the returning group after placing second overall at the 2025 championship.
Beyond the preseason recognition, the four programs share an emphasis their coaches say will be critical to their success this season: strong team culture, connection and a commitment to competing for one another.
For St. Mary’s, the preseason recognition adds to the momentum surrounding Seahawk Athletics as student-athletes have returned to competition in pursuit of another season of excellence in the classroom and in competition.
2026 SEAHAWKS TO WATCH
Men’s Soccer — No. 1 — vs. Catholic on Sept. 9 at 4:30 pm
Women’s Soccer — T-No. 1 — vs. Stevenson on Sept. 9 at 7 pm
Field Hockey — No. 1 — at York (Pa.) on Sept. 12 at 12 pm
Women’s Cross Country — No. 1 — Seahawk Classic on Sept. 18 at 4:30 pm at Oak Ridge Park in Hughesville, Md.
