MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The SUNY Morrisville field hockey coaching staff and 2026 squad is ready to get the season underway Tuesday, taking the field for the first time on the new slate with a veteran unit looking to build off last year's success.
 
Morrisville put together a 4-9 overall record a year ago, capturing a win in league play over Oswego to finish fifth overall in SUNYAC action.
 
The Mustangs, though, enter the season with 14 returners, all who gained valuable experience that will carry onto the field this fall. Seniors Gabbie Purchiaroni (East Syracuse, N.Y.) and Emmaly Noeller (Canastota, N.Y.) will captain the team from the defensive end of the field.
 
Two-time SUNYAC All-Conference honoree, Kylee Noyes (Castle Creek, N.Y.), joins the senior duo as the third captain, providing leadership from her center back position, and special teams play.
 
"These three seasoned veterans set the standard daily," head coach Kathy Cornell-DeAngelis said. "True leaders lead by example, and we have that in all three. They look to hold themselves accountable first. 
 
"They are true leaders who care deeply about the success of the program."
 
Morrisville will see some new faces anticipated to contribute immediately to the team's play on the field. Freshman Gracie Bagg (Nineveh, N.Y.) is an all-around complete player who will see time in the midfield but is a very dangerous player in the attack game.
 
DeAngelis also pointed to newcomer Paige Jennings (Nineveh, N.Y.) who has the versatility to play several positions for Morrisville and will be a player to watch in the offensive circle.
"We will face a very challenging and competitive 2026 schedule both within the SUNYAC League and non-league opponents," Cornell-DeAngelis said.
 
As Cornell-DeAngelis pointed out, Morrisville's schedule won't be easy - facing opponents from the Liberty League and Empire 8 in the non-conference slate to prepare for the SUNYAC opener in early October against Oneonta.
 
The very next day, the Mustangs faceoff against preseason ranked #5 Salisbury University. Morrisville will meet league power SUNY Cortland on Oct. 20 before wrapping up the regular season Oct. 24 against Oswego.
 
Morrisville gets the season underway Tuesday, hosting St. Lawrence University on Drake Field at 4 PM, before hosting Elmira on Saturday, Sept. 5.
 
A home bout with St. John Fisher carries Morrisville into their first road battle at Keuka College, before returning home for two straight – the first Sept. 16 against nearby Utica University and Sept. 22 against Nazareth.
 
They wrap up September with a road battle at SUNY Brockport on the 29^th.
 
A complete field hockey schedule and roster are available on the college's athletic website. Links to live coverage are also available on the field hockey schedule page.

SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. The college is positioning itself to offer expanded graduate offerings, workforce programming and microcredentials. Future development of industry and educational partnerships will increase student success and response to student demand and market. For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit www.morrisville.edu.
 
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