Lancaster Enters 2026 With A Deep Senior Core And High Standards

Overview

• Lancaster returns eight of 11 starters and 10 seniors from a group coach Alycia Pollinger said has moved into 2026 with high expectations.
• Lucia Lawrence, Emily Rodriguez, Taylor Hanson and Hailey Hausrath are expected to lead a defense-and-midfield core that Pollinger sees as skilled and intelligent.
• Claire Buccieri returns as a key attacking piece after a 2025 season with nine goals and 10 assists.
• Isabella Muroff-Sikora steps into the goalkeeping picture after playing at the national club level in the offseason.
• Schedule landmarks include the Sept. 2 opener against Akron, a Sept. 14 trip to Orchard Park and home dates with Pioneer, Williamsville East, Sweet Home, West Seneca and Amherst.

Lancaster Raises Its Internal Bar

Lancaster Field Hockey enters the 2026 season with a returning core that gives coach Alycia Pollinger reason to raise the standard.

Pollinger said Lancaster brings back eight of 11 starters, with the remaining starting spots being filled by players from last year's squad. The roster includes 10 seniors, and Pollinger said many members of the group have earned ECIC and All-WNY recognition.

"This group looks like our best group yet," Pollinger said. "They have transitioned from last year to this season seamlessly, picking right back up where they left off."

Pollinger is in her 13th season as a coach and has been with the Lancaster program since the spring of 2021. A former Division II player at Mansfield University, she is also a Level 2 USA Field Hockey coach, a certified NEXUS coach and part of the leadership team for the USA Field Hockey New York State Chapter.

A Core Through The Middle

Pollinger pointed first to the defense and midfield when identifying Lancaster's foundation.

Lucia Lawrence, Emily Rodriguez, Taylor Hanson and Hailey Hausrath are all captains or primary leaders, and Pollinger said they are the kind of players spectators will notice even when the box score does not fully show their impact.

Lawrence is expected to be especially central. Pollinger named her the engine of the midfield, and Lawrence returns after recording three goals and seven assists in 2025. Rodriguez is another key piece in the middle and back of the field, and Pollinger identified her as a penalty-corner specialist.

Hanson, Pollinger's breakout-season candidate, had three assists and one defensive save last season. Hausrath added three defensive saves in 2025.

"Our biggest strength this season is the fact that we have immense skill and game IQ," Pollinger said.

Attack And Goalkeeping

Claire Buccieri gives Lancaster a proven attacking presence after a 2025 season with nine goals and 10 assists. Pollinger said Buccieri is expected to return as a key component of the offense.

The attack is expected to rely on pace and movement.

Pollinger expects quick transitions and drops to feature in the attack.

Pollinger also named Brenna Buccieri and Allison Moberg as additions to watch on attack, with Natalie Domagola stepping into a larger defensive role. Kaitlyn Hanson is another player Pollinger said could become an important contributor in a larger role; Hanson had five goals and four assists last season.

In goal, Isabella Muroff-Sikora steps into a major role. Pollinger described her as a new keeper for Lancaster, but said Muroff-Sikora "is no stranger to this level of play" after playing at the national club level during the offseason.

Pollinger also reported Lucia Lawrence's commitment to Slippery Rock, along with Division I lacrosse commitments for Claire Buccieri to Jacksonville and Morgan Pilat to Central Michigan.

Schedule Markers

Lancaster opens the listed schedule at home Sept. 2 against Akron, then hosts Williamsville North on Sept. 8 and Nichols on Sept. 11.

The first road game arrives Sept. 14 at Orchard Park, followed by a Sept. 16 home date with Pioneer and a Sept. 18 trip to Holland/East Aurora. Lancaster also has September home games against Williamsville East on Sept. 25 and Sweet Home on Sept. 28.

October brings road games at Clarence, Iroquois, Eden, Williamsville South and Hamburg, along with home games against West Seneca on Oct. 5 and Amherst on Oct. 19.

Pollinger said Lancaster's goals start with daily standards and steady improvement, with the larger aim of working toward a finals appearance in the postseason.

"We take things one game at a time," Pollinger said. "We focus on our standards, that we set for ourselves and our team and improving every game."