Pioneer field hockey enters 2026 with senior core

Overview

• The roster includes six Class of 2027 seniors: Ella Rogers, Sarah Bates, Kaidyn Hope, Kendra Tidd, Brady Dodge and Madyson Heidt.
• Ella Rogers is Pioneer's top returning scorer from the 2025-26 lines after recording four goals and one assist as a junior.
• October opens with four consecutive home games against Williamsville East, Sweet Home, Eden and Clarence before four road games close the listed schedule.
• The schedule is set to open Sept. 2 against Barker at Starpoint, followed by home games against Amherst and Williamsville North in the first two weeks.

Pioneer Starts With An Experienced Senior Group

Pioneer enters the 2026 field hockey season with a compact roster and a senior class that gives head coach Allison Nourse several returning names to build around.

Nourse is listed as Pioneer's head coach, with Lissa Landahl and Bella Addesa listed as assistant coaches. The roster includes 14 players, led by six Class of 2027 seniors: Ella Rogers, Sarah Bates, Kaidyn Hope, Kendra Tidd, Brady Dodge and Madyson Heidt.

The strongest returning scoring line belongs to Rogers, a senior forward who recorded four goals and one assist in 2025-26. Bates, listed as a midfield/defense player, added one goal last season, while Tidd, a defender, had one goal.

Dodge gives Pioneer another returning senior with prior-season production after finishing 2025-26 with one goal and one assist from midfield. Hope, a senior forward, also had an assist last season. Heidt, listed as a midfield/defense player, recorded one defensive save in 2025-26.

Roster Shape

Pioneer's Class of 2028 includes Kessa-Jo Learn and Olivia Borer. Learn is listed on defense, while Borer is listed as a forward.

The Class of 2029 gives Pioneer six more players: Taylynne Richardson, Sadie Benz, Maven Kless, Paisley Smith, Lexii Wrazen and Charlotte Dabney. Richardson, Benz and Kless are listed as forward/midfield players, Smith is listed on defense, Wrazen is listed as a forward and Dabney is listed as a goalkeeper.

That roster shape gives Pioneer an even split between its senior class and sophomore class, with the two juniors in between. How quickly that younger group settles in around the established seniors will help define the early part of the season.

Schedule Landmarks

Pioneer is scheduled to open Sept. 2 against Barker at Starpoint Central High School's Multi-Purpose Turf, then return home Sept. 8 against Amherst and Sept. 14 against Williamsville North at Pioneer Memorial Stadium.

The first road stretch arrives quickly, with September trips to West Seneca, Lancaster, Holland/East Aurora, Hamburg and Starpoint. October begins with four straight home games against Williamsville East, Sweet Home, Eden and Clarence.

The closing stretch is scheduled to put Pioneer on the road at Orchard Park, Nichols, Iroquois and Williamsville South.