Steve Finkernagel

2026 Wilkes Field Hockey Season Preview

9/1/2026 11:00:00 AM

2026 Wilkes Field Hockey Season Preview

WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University field hockey enters the 2026 season seeking to build on the program's best showing as a member of the Landmark Conference in 2025.

The Colonels bring back their top eight point scorers from a team that went 10–11 in 2025, and earned their first-ever Landmark Tournament win over Drew in the opening round before falling to eventual champion Scranton in the semifinals. The Colonels are looking to build on the positive momentum from a season ago and carry it into 2026.

"This past spring, that's been the carrot they hung and they chased," says head coach Ashley Irwin. "It was what motivated them to do their work in the preseason, and that momentum luckily carried over in this crazy two weeks we've had, and we're ready to take action."

Wilkes was picked to finish seventh in the Landmark Preseason Coaches' Poll as Irwin begins her fourth season.

Five of the Colonels' top six point scorers from 2025 were first-years, who now return with a key year of experience under their belt. Sophomore Maddie Karp (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) returns to lead the Colonels' offense after a standout first season, leading the team with 12 goals. Sophomore Taylor Bower (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg) finished second on the team, scoring 15 points a year ago. The sophomore duo is accompanied by senior Morgan Hermanofski (Shickshinny, PA/Northwest Area), who lead the team in goals and assists in 2024, along with juniors Aniyah Torres and Emma Lautenbacher (Bangor, PA/Bangor), and first-year Lily Fleming (West Deptford, NJ/GCIT).

Wilkes returns five midfielders, led by sophomore Lydia Keppel (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) who started all 21 games as a first-year and scored the game-winner in the Landmark Tournament First Round against Drew. Keppel is joined by classmates Taylor Minick (Reading, PA/Gov. Mifflin Senior), who scored four goals, and Sage Morgan (Dallas, PA/Lake Lehman), who tied a team high with five assists last year. Juniors Elizabeth Hodder (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia), Shaelyn Donnelley, and sophomore Georgia Baskett (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg) all appeared in all 21 contests a year ago. The group is rounded out by four first-years: Sarah Beckage (Allentown, PA/Sarah Beckage), Rylee Hardesty (Lothian, MD/Southern), Maria Lucia-Priore (Dallas, PA/Dallas), and Lexie Eyer (Millville, PA/Millville).

The defense will look to replace All-Landmark selection Cortney Keim (Trevorton, PA/Line Mountain), who recorded 34 defensive saves in three seasons with the Colonels. Seniors Emma Dengler (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin East), Emily Bramble (York, PA/Suburban), and Laila Porterfield (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) bring veteran leadership to the back line. Genesis Duran (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) is the lone junior, having played all 21 games as a sophomore, making five starts. Paige Greco (Sugarloaf, PA/Hazelton Area) and Kenley Jenks (McDonough, NY/Greene Central School) are the two sophomores, and first-years Carly Scorsone (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove Area), Riley Thorne (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Township), and Mira Welsh (Port Jeff Station, NY/Comsewogue) round out Wilkes' defensive unit.

Junior Chloe Gilroy (Manchester, NH/Pace University) returns in cage for the Colonels after stopping a Landmark-best 164 shots and earning Second Team All-Landmark honors in 2025. Gilroy will be joined by junior Olivia Wickel (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) and sophomore Addison Swayne, both of whom saw playing time a season ago.

Wilkes opens the season Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. with a trip to the Garden State for a non-conference matchup with Kean.

"It's gonna be good, gritty hockey," Irwin said about the matchup. "I'm excited and ready to get going."

The Colonels' home opener is on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1:00 p.m. against Montclair State at Schmidt Stadium, while Landmark play commences on Saturday, Sept. 26 at home against Elizabethtown.

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