FDU Favored to Repeat as NEC Women’s Basketball Champions in 2026
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The Northeast Conference (NEC) has announced its women’s basketball preseason poll, with defending champions FDU earning the unanimous nod as the favorites to secure another title in the 2025-26 season. The announcement, made on Monday, signals a competitive year ahead for the conference.
NEC Preseason Rankings Reveal Tight Competition
FDU’s dominance in the NEC is undeniable, having clinched both the regular season and tournament championships last year. Following closely behind, the poll reveals a competitive landscape with Stonehill, Chicago State, Le Moyne, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), Mercyhurst, Wagner, Long Island University (LIU), New Haven, and Saint Francis rounding out the rankings.
Did you know? – FDU’s strong performance last season, winning both the regular season and tournament titles, earned them the top spot in the preseason poll. This sets the stage for a season of high expectations and fierce competition within the NEC.
Saint Francis Poised for Historic Season
The upcoming season holds particular significance for Saint Francis, the most successful program in NEC history. The team is just four wins away from becoming the first league school to reach a remarkable 400 victories. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of a period of sustained success for the Red Flash, including an extraordinary run of 12 championships, with nine titles claimed within a decade from 1996 to 2006.
Pro tip: – Keep an eye on Saint Francis. Their history of success and the upcoming milestone of 400 wins make them a team to watch.Their past dominance suggests they could be a strong contender this season.
New Leadership and Talent for saint Francis
First-year head coach Chynna Bozeman is building a new-look roster, having added 12 newcomers for the 2025-26 season. Among these additions, graduate students Aleah James, Shelby Ricks, and Sonia Sato are expected to make significant contributions. James arrives at Saint Francis after a strong performance at UMES,were she ranked fourth on her team with 43 assists last season. Ricks joins the Red Flash after scoring 179 points at NCAA Division II Bowie State in the 2024-25 season,and Sato brings valuable experience,having appeared in 85 games over three seasons at Presbyterian,totaling 182 rebounds.
red Flash Set to Tip Off Season
Saint Francis will begin its quest for a historic season with an away game against Duquesne on November 3, with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m. The team will then return home to DeGol Arena for its debut against Robert Morris on November 13, with a 7 p.m. start time.
