Courtesy of the East Coast Conference (ECC)

COLONIA, NJ – The East Coast Conference will add field hockey as the league's 21st sport, with conference play and the initial championship taking place in the 2026-27 academic year. 

Currently, five ECC institutions sponsor field hockey as a varsity sport that will participate in the inaugural ECC season: D'Youville University, Mercy University, Molloy University, Roberts Wesleyan University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College.

The East Coast Conference is adding Dominican University of New York as an associate member, making that six sponsored teams, the minimum number required by the NCAA of a conference for automatic qualification postseason eligibility. 

"Adding field hockey to the East Coast Conference brings the current five full-time members the opportunity to compete in their core conference. Welcoming Dominican as an associate member will allow the ECC to grow on opportunities for all field hockey student-athletes, to compete for NCAA championships, and expand the ECC brand," stated ECC Commissioner Jessica Grasso.

Mercy, Molloy, and St. Thomas Aquinas have played in the NE10 since 2019, with the Mavs reaching the conference tournament most recently, in 2023, and the Spartans reaching the conference tournament the most, three times from 2019-22. 

Having sponsored field hockey the longest, since 2010, Mercy will enter its 16th year of competition in 2025-26, followed by St. Thomas Aquinas in its 12th year (began in 2015) and Molloy in its 11th year (began in 2016). 

"We are excited to join all the other athletic programs at Mercy University as members of the ECC," said fourth-year head coach Marissa Spinazzola. "Being a part of this conference is a significant milestone for our field hockey program and is a testament to the continued growth of the game. The future is bright, and we can't wait to get started in this exciting new chapter alongside our fellow ECC programs!"

"We are thrilled that our field hockey program will be joining the ECC," added STAC seventh-year head coach Genesis Pacheco. "This is an exciting milestone for both our team and our school, as it opens up new opportunities for competition, growth, and recognition on a regional and national level. Our program here at STAC is looking forward to the challenges and triumphs ahead as we continue to build in Division II field hockey."

Roberts Wesleyan and D'Youville have played independently since beginning their field hockey programs, with the Redhawks starting up in 2023 and the Saints beginning in 2024. 

"The launch of field hockey in the ECC is something we've dreamed about since Day One," said Roberts Wesleyan second-year head coach Marissa Kocher. "This milestone reflects our team's vision of playing in a conference that didn't yet exist and speaks to the dedication of so many people. We appreciate the support of Commissioner Grasso, the conference, and the administration in this growth. This is a monumental step forward for our program and a big day for field hockey in our region. It is a full circle moment and we are excited to be home in the ECC."

The Chargers of Dominican will kick off their newly sponsored field hockey program in 2025.