SOMERSET, NJ – The NEC announced the preseason field hockey coaches poll and Rider University was selected to finish third by the league's coaches in 2025 in their first season under Head Coach Gina Carey-Smith.
 
The Broncs finished second in the conference last season and return two First-Team All-Conference honorees in All-NEC forward Valeria Perales and defender Megan Normile.
 
Fairfield is the coaches' selection to claim the conference championship after winning the NEC Tournament Title in 2024, earning six of the 10 available first-place votes. Wagner, who won the NEC regular season championship a year ago, earned the remaining four first-place votes, to place second in the preseason poll. Behind the Broncs, Saint Francis was chosen in fourth, Sacred Heart was selected fifth, and LIU and Stonehill tied for sixth in the coaches' choices. Merrimack, Mercyhurst, and NEC newcomer New Haven rounded out the poll.
 
Rider opens the season at Colgate on Aug. 29, followed by three additional road contests before the home opener on Sept. 19 against NEC rival Stonehill. The Broncs will visit the preseason favorites, Fairfield, on Oct. 19 as part of a four-game road trip to close out the regular season.