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SEASON PREVIEW: Field Hockey

By Joseph Garwood: Director of Athletic Communications

8/28/2026 11:00:00 AM

RALEIGH, N.C. - Meredith Field Hockey is set to begin its 2026 season next week, hosting Roanoke on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. in the season and home opener before welcoming Goucher to Raleigh with a Sunday showdown.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

The Avenging Angels are coming off a program-record eight win season in 2025, highlighted by a 5-0 Senior Day shutout of Eastern Mennonite on Oct. 18.
Meredith also compiled a program-record four home victories in 2025 against just three losses. In addition to the win over Eastern Mennonite, the Avenging Angels also defeated Wittenberg, Sweet Briar and Coker at home.
Megan Ingenito delivered a record-breaking campaign in 2025, shattering the previous record for goals in a season with 17 to lead the team.
Ingenito returns this season to lead a solid group with all four players who scored multiple goals last season still on the roster.
Head Coach Samantha Keating enters her fifth season at the helm of the program as the team's win total has only increased during her tenure.

Megan Ingenito

THE SCHEDULE

SEASON & HOME OPENER
- Tuesday, Sept. 1 (4 p.m.) vs. Roanoke
LABOR DAY WEEKEND BATTLE
- Sunday, Sept. 6 (12 p.m.) vs. Goucher
POTENTIAL RANKED OPPONENT COMES TO RALEIGH
- Saturday, Oct. 24 vs. preseason No. 23 Washington & Lee
HOME FINALE
- Saturday, Nov. 7 (4:30 p.m.) vs. Eastern Mennonite

2026 Field Hockey Schedule

Charlotte Dyer

THE ROSTER BY THE NUMBERS

10 Returners

6 Newcomers

36 of 40 Goals from last season scored by returners

26 of 28 Assists from last season dished out by returners

2026 Field Hockey Roster

STAR WATCH

MEGAN INGENITO | 4TH YR | RIDGELAND, S.C.

Set program record with 17 goals in 2025
Ended the season on a tear, scoring twice in three of the team's final four games
Ranked second on the team with five assists

CHARLOTTE DYER | 4TH YR | CHURCH HILL, MD.

Set program record with 12 assists in 2025
Tied for second on the team with 24 points last season
Tallied career-high three assists in home win vs. Eastern Mennonite

MAYA KIRSTEIN | 3RD YR | HOLLISTON, MASS.

Placed second on the team with 10 goals and third on the team with four assists
Tied for second on the team with 24 points last season
Tallied season-best five points on two goals and one assist in home win over Sweet Briar

THE HEAD COACH

Samantha Keating enters her fifth season as head coach of the Meredith College field hockey program in 2026 after joining the staff in August 2022

Keating's Coaching Highlights at Meredith (2022-Present)
First career win (Sept. 6, 2023 vs. Ferrum)
Increased or maintained win total in each of four previous seasons
Program-record eight wins in 2025
Program-record four home wins in 2025

Since arriving at Meredith, Keating has helped guide the Avenging Angels through a period of steady growth and success. The program has improved its overall record in each season of her tenure, culminating in a historic 2025 campaign that saw Meredith set a program record with eight victories. The team also achieved several milestone accomplishments during the season, including its first-ever victory over an NCAA Division II opponent and a program-record four home wins.

Keating has also played a key role in the development of Meredith's student-athletes. In 2025, junior Megan Ingenito scored a program-record 17 goals, highlighting the continued progress of the program under the coaching staff's leadership.

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