It’s shaping up to be another thrilling season as Division II field hockey takes the field this Thursday. With fewer programs than its Division I and III counterparts, nearly every matchup carries weight, and championship contenders can emerge from unexpected corners.
Here are some of the top programs looking to seize the spotlight in 2025.
Kutztown
Photo by Matt Heffelfinger
Kutztown has always been a top contender in Division II, but the past few seasons the Golden Bears have proven their championship-winning grit and caliber. The team is coming off back-to-back runs to the national championship game, claiming the program’s first ever title in 2023 and then getting stunned by Saint Anselm in overtime last year. Kutztown enters 2025 as the top pick in both the NFHCA Division II National Coaches Poll and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Poll.
The Golden Bears return a seasoned roster despite losing All-American talents like Juliana Donato and Sarah Gatehouse. The squad maintains seven of its 2024 starters, including senior duo Erin Gonzalez and Grace Harrold, who both appeared on the NFHCA Division II Watchlist. Two-time All-PSAC honoree Gonzalez returns after an All-American season as the team’s leading scorer with 13 goals. Harrold, a midfielder, garnered All-PSAC honors as well, notching a team-leading six assists. The team also has talent in returning starters like Jessica Traynor, Marissa Rice, and Marlee Fetrow.
Kutztown welcomes a robust rookie class of 11 athletes, including 2023 Wisconsin State Player of the Year Meyrl Mesenbrink and Warwick High School’s all-time leading scorer Bree Zoccolo. In addition, the team picked up three sophomore Division I transfers: Olivia Kirkpatrick, Ellie Myers, and Taylor Vaccaro.
Coming into her 12th season at the helm of the program is Head Coach Marci Scheuing. In an interview with the university’s athletic department, Scheuing confirmed that the 2025 roster is “the deepest team that [Kutztown] [has] ever had”, in tandem with young talent.
By USWNT
