College Field Hockey Rankings
NCAA field hockey rankings have the University of North Carolina in the topmost position. Carolina has ranked first based on RPI and NFHCA Poll.
Northwestern and Pennsylvania have followed the list. The former institution holds a record of 20 wins and 5 losses while the latter has 17 victories and 4 defeats.
The college positionings based on the National Collegiate Athletic Association's RPI are as follows:
Institution | Conference |
1. University of North Carolina | ACC |
2. Northwestern University | Big Ten |
3. Pennsylvania State University | Big Ten |
4. University of Maryland | Big Ten |
5. University of Michigan | Big Ten |
6. University of Virginia | ACC |
7. Saint Joseph's University | Atlantic 10 |
8. Princeton University | Ivy League |
9. Syracuse University | ACC |
10. University of Iowa | Big Ten |
University of North Carolina
North Carolina incorporated field hockey in the 1940s. When the university received membership in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) in 1971, it became a university sport.
Carolina became a part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1982. Though they became runner-ups in 1987, they earned their first championship in 1989.
Known for the Carolina blue and white uniform, the varsity team won the 2022 tournament championship. They received the title consecutively from 2018 to 2020.
Northwestern University
Northwestern is a part of the Big Ten Conference of Division 1 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The lakeside field of the university campus in Illinois is their home.
Field hockey was declared a varsity sport at Northwestern in 1980. They received their first National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 2021.
Before that, the university reached the Final Fours of the championship four times. Likewise, they have been up to the first round of the title six times.
Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State made hockey a varsity sport in 1964. After being associated with the AIAW, they became a part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1982.
By now, the team has appeared in 30 tournaments. They have competed seven times in the semifinals and twice during the championship game.
Despite playing hockey for roughly 6 decades, Penn State has not received the title once. Olympic bronze medalist Charlene Morrett currently coaches them.
University of Maryland
Maryland has incorporated hockey as their varsity sport since 1974. They are one of the accomplished members of the Big Ten Conference.
The varsity team has recorded 8 national championships and appeared in 15 Final Fours. They also have a record of 57 wins in the tournament so far.
Mayland went on a success spree since Messy Meharg joined the team as a coach. In the 2022 season, they won 19 games and lost 4 in the tournament.
University of Michigan
Michigan declared hockey as their university sport in 1973. They play their home games at Phyllis Ocker Field at their Ann Harbour campus.
The team is famous for the color palette of their uniform, which consists of maize and blue colors. They have competed in the tournament 19 times.
Despite such efforts, Michigan has held the title only once under coach Marcia Pankratz. In the former season, they recorded 14 wins and 6 losses.