Photo by: Kaya Wagner 2025
'Ville field hockey looks to veterans to lead the way in 2026
9/1/2026 2:30:00 PM | Field Hockey
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - As the start of the season rapidly approaches, the Millersville field hockey team looks to start fresh.
Head coach Shelly Behrens is back and ready to lead the charge in her 18th season with the Marauders. She's led the Marauders to a national championship, a pair of PSAC titles and 10 postseason appearances. The Marauders have come up short the last three seasons, however. The 2025 season started well for the Marauders as they won their first three games outscoring their opponents 16-2 but as the season went on they found themselves on a slide down the stretch, dropping two one-goal games with just one goal scored in the last six. The Marauders ended the season 7-11 overall and 3-6 with eight of their 11 losses decided by two goals or fewer, highlighting just how competitive the team was throughout the season.
"Every season the team knows the PSAC is the toughest in Division II to compete in," she said. "That alone is a standard that you embrace and take pride in competing in. We know our conference schedule is going to be amazing competition as it is every year. It Is up to us to show where we stand with our actions and game performance."
The Marauders lost a few highly productive players who will be missed on the field, such as top goal scorers Emma Ruley and Alexis Kerns, who combined for 17 goals. Both graduated along with goalkeeper Sarah Crysler who had a .724 save percentage on the year. There are quite a few returning players, however, who played well in 2025 and are expected to take another step in 2026.
Megan Alvarez makes her return to Millersville after scoring four goals and four assists before being sidelined with an injury. Matching Alvarez in goals with four on the season is Erin Esterhuizen, who was named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete as well as CSC Academic All-District At-Large at the end of last season. Both players were named captains for the upcoming season along with returning junior Peyton Bean who was also named PSAC Scholar-Athlete. Bean started 17 of 18 games last season.
"Our captains are a reflection of our standards and our program overall these [three] ladies represent their teammates in all facets on and off the field."
When asked how she knew Alvarez, Esterhuizen, and Bean were ready to fill the leadership roles Behrens said, "The kids have shown in the spring competition that they were ready to step in and up to the challenges ahead. We all lead and we all follow, so we do not rely on any one person or people."
Millersville has a veteran team with six seniors and eight juniors, but they'll be looking for increase offensive production across the board after losing the bulk of their goal scoring. Taking over in goal is Addy Arkhurst, a junior who played in nine games, making 13 saves in 2025.
The Marauders also added some newcomers who should make an impact.
"From our transfers to our first years, we feel strongly that they we have the right people and players for our on-field needs," said Behrens.
"In that freshman class are players like Lexi Boyle, who is coming into Millersville with 170 career points at Boiling Springs High School. Bree Aughenbaugh plays in the defensive backfield and won three district championships throughout her time at Palmyra Area. Transfers include Olivia Kline, who started her career at Mansfield and played for two years before coming to Millersville. She started every game during her time at Mansfield and played a pivotal defensive role for the Mountaineers.
"We can have any one of our first years on the field starting or coming into a game, and I am counting on each of them to find their way pretty fast as we go," said Behrens.
With a history of success at the highest levels, the 2026 Marauders are aiming to return to the postseason while competing against a grueling schedule. Behrens has the team ready as it starts regular season play at home against Dominican on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m.
"A shared purpose and mutual respect is a guide for our program," said Behrens. "I think the team reflects this in their embracing of our standards and program pride, being the best teammates to each other as well as our Millersville field hockey program history. This team, the 81st field hockey team at Millersville is highly driven as individuals and as a team."
Head coach Shelly Behrens is back and ready to lead the charge in her 18th season with the Marauders. She's led the Marauders to a national championship, a pair of PSAC titles and 10 postseason appearances. The Marauders have come up short the last three seasons, however. The 2025 season started well for the Marauders as they won their first three games outscoring their opponents 16-2 but as the season went on they found themselves on a slide down the stretch, dropping two one-goal games with just one goal scored in the last six. The Marauders ended the season 7-11 overall and 3-6 with eight of their 11 losses decided by two goals or fewer, highlighting just how competitive the team was throughout the season.
"Every season the team knows the PSAC is the toughest in Division II to compete in," she said. "That alone is a standard that you embrace and take pride in competing in. We know our conference schedule is going to be amazing competition as it is every year. It Is up to us to show where we stand with our actions and game performance."
The Marauders lost a few highly productive players who will be missed on the field, such as top goal scorers Emma Ruley and Alexis Kerns, who combined for 17 goals. Both graduated along with goalkeeper Sarah Crysler who had a .724 save percentage on the year. There are quite a few returning players, however, who played well in 2025 and are expected to take another step in 2026.
Megan Alvarez makes her return to Millersville after scoring four goals and four assists before being sidelined with an injury. Matching Alvarez in goals with four on the season is Erin Esterhuizen, who was named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete as well as CSC Academic All-District At-Large at the end of last season. Both players were named captains for the upcoming season along with returning junior Peyton Bean who was also named PSAC Scholar-Athlete. Bean started 17 of 18 games last season.
"Our captains are a reflection of our standards and our program overall these [three] ladies represent their teammates in all facets on and off the field."
When asked how she knew Alvarez, Esterhuizen, and Bean were ready to fill the leadership roles Behrens said, "The kids have shown in the spring competition that they were ready to step in and up to the challenges ahead. We all lead and we all follow, so we do not rely on any one person or people."
Millersville has a veteran team with six seniors and eight juniors, but they'll be looking for increase offensive production across the board after losing the bulk of their goal scoring. Taking over in goal is Addy Arkhurst, a junior who played in nine games, making 13 saves in 2025.
The Marauders also added some newcomers who should make an impact.
"From our transfers to our first years, we feel strongly that they we have the right people and players for our on-field needs," said Behrens.
"In that freshman class are players like Lexi Boyle, who is coming into Millersville with 170 career points at Boiling Springs High School. Bree Aughenbaugh plays in the defensive backfield and won three district championships throughout her time at Palmyra Area. Transfers include Olivia Kline, who started her career at Mansfield and played for two years before coming to Millersville. She started every game during her time at Mansfield and played a pivotal defensive role for the Mountaineers.
"We can have any one of our first years on the field starting or coming into a game, and I am counting on each of them to find their way pretty fast as we go," said Behrens.
With a history of success at the highest levels, the 2026 Marauders are aiming to return to the postseason while competing against a grueling schedule. Behrens has the team ready as it starts regular season play at home against Dominican on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m.
"A shared purpose and mutual respect is a guide for our program," said Behrens. "I think the team reflects this in their embracing of our standards and program pride, being the best teammates to each other as well as our Millersville field hockey program history. This team, the 81st field hockey team at Millersville is highly driven as individuals and as a team."
Players Mentioned
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GK
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D
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F
/ Field HockeyWednesday, October 29
Saturday, October 11
Wednesday, October 08
Saturday, October 04
