The Lock Haven field hockey team will open the Division I 2023 season on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. at home vs. Queens.
 
Setting the Stage:
Lock Haven will open the season at home on Sunday, Aug. 27 vs. Queens.
 
Last season, Queens went 1-14 overall and the Royals will travel to The Haven Sunday after officially opening the season Friday, Aug. 25 at Saint Francis.
 
Last season, Lock Haven was 12-7 overall and the 12 victories marked the most in a single season since 2015. A year ago, The Haven stood out in conference play and went 5-2 with Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) wins over La Salle, Davidson, Saint Louis, Richmond and VCU.
 
New Beginnings:
When the Bald Eagles open the 2023 season at home on Sunday, Aug. 27 vs. Queens, it will open a new era for the program – a storied program with an already rich history and tradition of success and excellence. Sunday's game will mark the debut for first-year head coach Anna Rogers.
 
Rogers was officially announced as Lock Haven's new head coach on August 9 after seven years as the Bald Eagles' assistant coach. Rogers is just the fourth head coach since the founding of the Lock Haven field hockey program in 1945 and replaces Pat Rudy – a field hockey coaching legend - who recently announced her retirement after 27 seasons as the head coach at The Haven.
 
Lock Haven has recorded four 10-or-more win seasons in the last seven campaigns and the team has reached the Atlantic 10 Tournament three times in the last four seasons, including last season.
 
Preseason All-Conference:
Earlier this week, returning standout Martina Spangenberg was named to the 2023 Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Team and the Bald Eagles were picked fourth of eight teams in the A-10's Preseason Coaches' Poll. Spangenberg was one of 11 players honored with preseason All-Conference distinction.  Following the 2022 season, Spangenberg earned All-Region and First Team All-Conference honors.
 
A-10 Preseason Rankings:
On Tuesday, the Atlantic 10 announced the 2023 Preseason Coaches' Poll and Lock Haven was picked fourth. Lock Haven, an Atlantic 10 postseason team a year ago, received 38 points in the preseason rankings and checked in behind only Saint Joseph's Massachusetts and VCU.
 
Saint Joseph's received six of eight first-place votes (62 pts.) and was tabbed by the coaches as the preseason favorite. Massachusetts received a first-place vote (54 pts.) was picked second while VCU (1 first-place vote; 46 pts.) rounded out the top-three teams in the rankings. Lock Haven was picked fourth, ahead of Richmond, La Salle, Davidson and Saint Louis.
 
Perfect at Home:
Last fall, Lock Haven went a perfect 9-0 at home, marking the first undefeated run at home since 2003. In all, The Haven will host nine home games this season.
 
Returning Talent:
The Bald Eagles return an impressive and experienced group of players. The aforementioned Spangenberg scored 10 goals last season, which was tied for the team lead and she finished with 23 total points (10G, 3A). Constanza Lopez Zabala scored four goals a year ago and Brooke Hofsass logged important minutes while registering a goal and three assists. Goalkeeper Kelsey Felix returns to lead the way from the back. Last season, she made 17 starts on the way to 11 wins.
 
Fresh Faces:
The 2023 roster features 10 talented and decorated newcomers. Meet the new Bald Eagles.
 
The Road Ahead:
The Bald Eagles open the season with back-to-back home games. After Sunday's season-opener vs. non-conference foe Queens, Lock Haven will welcome in-state rival Leigh to Charlotte Smith Field on Friday, Sept. 1. The Bald Eagles first road test of the season will come during game three at Colgate on Sunday, Sept. 3. Lock Haven will open A-10 play vs. La Salle on Sept. 15. The full 2023 Lock Haven field hockey schedule is available at GoLHU.com.
 
Up Next:
Lock Haven will host Lehigh on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. on Charlotte Smith Field.