Akron Enters 2026 With Postseason Grit And A Familiar Core

Overview

• Akron returns two-thirds of a roster that reached the state tournament in 2025 and 2023, giving coach Marlene Stone confidence in Akron's experience and composure.
• Stone points to Alexis Salmon and Anieka Forrestel starting the ball movement from the back, with Brooke Milhollen, Madison Gates and Madigan Regan shaping the midfield.
• Mackenzie Tomporowski returns after a 13-goal, four-assist 2025 season and is expected to help anchor the attack.
• Addison Massaro is expected to step into goal, with assistant coach Daric Brege helping train Akron's first-year goalkeepers.
• Key early schedule markers include the Sept. 2 opener at Lancaster, a Sept. 10 home game against Medina and back-to-back road games at Penfield and Nichols.

Akron Brings Back A State-Tested Core

Akron's 2026 field hockey season begins with the kind of internal standard that comes from recent November experience.

Coach Marlene Stone said Akron returns two-thirds of the roster from a group that earned trips to the state tournament in 2025 and 2023. That leaves Akron with a seasoned foundation, even as Akron works through important changes in goal and in the attack.

"Leadership on each tier of the lineup," Stone said of the team's outlook. "Returning two-thirds of the roster that earned a trip to the State tournament in 2025 and 2023 gives this squad a distinct edge; we possess postseason grit and you better believe we have savvy."

Stone has led Akron's varsity program since 2022 after coaching the JV team from 2005 through 2021. Her 2026 staff includes Claudia Stone, Abby Stone and Daric Brege.

The Spine Of The Team

Stone described Akron's "vertical axis" as a key piece of Akron's structure, with Alexis Salmon and Anieka Forrestel beginning connected ball movement from the defensive end.

From there, the midfield group gives Akron a deep base of returning experience. Madison Gates, Brooke Milhollen and Madigan Regan are all seniors, and each brings a statistical profile from last season that shows how much Akron can run through the middle of the field.

Regan, whom Stone identified as the engine of the midfield, had four goals and 18 assists in 2025. Gates had 11 goals and three assists. Milhollen added four goals and three assists.

Stone also pointed to Gates' leadership beyond the box score.

"I rely on Madison Gates to care for the team and all of its needs," Stone said. "I don't name captains, we are all invested in leadership in some form."

Attack, Corners And The New Goalkeeping Picture

Mackenzie Tomporowski gives Akron another proven returning producer after scoring 13 goals with four assists in 2025. Stone also named Tomporowski as a player to watch on penalty corners.

Akron's attack will try to create chances by stressing the middle of the field and the baseline.

"We generate goal-scoring looks by driving the ball hard down the mid-line and along the baseline, committing defenders to create space for trailing cut-backs," Stone said.

The goalkeeper position is one of the key preseason storylines. Stone said Akron has two first-year goalkeepers, and Akron is "looking forward to starting Addison Massaro." Brege, an assistant coach and track coach, is helping train the group.

Stone also identified Abigail Schlabach as a breakout candidate and Scarlett Ranney as a player who could become an important new contributor.

Schedule Markers

Akron opens Sept. 2 at Lancaster, a game Stone circled as the first live test for Massaro and the defensive corner unit. Akron then hosts Medina on Sept. 10 before a quick road stretch at Penfield on Sept. 14 and Nichols on Sept. 15.

The schedule gives Akron home-and-away meetings with Wilson, Roy-Hart, Barker, Medina, Newfane and Kenmore. Akron closes the listed regular-season schedule Oct. 22 at Kenmore.

The goals are direct: Stone listed the League Sportsmanship Award and a return to states as the team's primary targets.

Stone wants Akron to be known for more than results, too. She pointed to team culture, respect for opponents, officials and spectators, and the program's community work after the team combined for more than 50 hours of service last season.

"It would be great if people understood how this team cares about giving back to Akron," Stone said.

Three Akron seniors are also committed to continue playing in college: Salmon at Brockport, Regan at John Carroll and Gates at Cortland.