Lynchburg, Va. --The University of Lynchburg field hockey team begins its 2025 season on the road in Granville, Ohio, with a pair of contests against Denison and DePauw on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31.

The Hornets enter the weekend ranked No. 17 in the NFHCA national poll and tied for first in the ODAC preseason standings. Juniors Allie Freeman, Khanyi Mzizi, and Anna Dorrestijn were each named to the NFHCA Watch List earlier this week.

Head coach Jenni Releford begins her second season at the helm following a strong 16-5 campaign that featured a conference championship appearance and a first-round NCAA Tournament victory.

This will mark the fourth meeting between Lynchburg and Denison since 2010, with the Hornets holding a 3-0 advantage. The most recent matchup came in 2021, a 3-0 Lynchburg win in Granville.

Last season, Denison finished 11-7 and reached the NCAC championship game. The Big Red return plenty of talent in 2025, highlighted by juniors Tabitha Chandler and Emma Gebhart, both of whom earned spots on the NFHCA Division III Watch List. Denison will also debut its new synthetic turf at Deeds Field-Piper Stadium, installed this past June.

DePauw will face Shenandoah on Saturday before taking on Lynchburg in Sunday's neutral-site contest. The Tigers are coming off an 11-7 campaign in 2024. Last fall, Lynchburg opened its season with a 3-0 win over DePauw at Shellenberger Field, evening the all-time series at 1-1.

Following the opening weekend, the Hornets will remain on the road to face Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, on Sunday, Sept. 7.

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