EASTON, Mass. (Oct. 26, 2026) -- The Stonehill women's basketball team was chosen to finish third in the NEC Preseason Poll, the conference office announced Monday. In addition, senior guard Brooke Paquette earned Preseason All-NEC honors for the second-straight season.

The Skyhawks, who received two first-place votes in the poll, were selected third behind FDU (six first-place votes) and Mercyhurst (one first-place vote). Le Moyne was voted fourth, followed by LIU, Wagner, Chicago State, New Haven and Central Connecticut State. 

Paquette, a tri-captain who hails from Hudson, N.H., earned All-NEC first-team accolades last year after finishing second in the conference with 14.9 points per game. Paquette, who has scored 1,062 points in her career, which ranks 33rd in program history, started all 30 games last winter and ranked ninth in the NCAA in foul shooting (101-of-112, .902).

Under the leadership of Trisha Brown, who is entering her 26th season at the helm as head coach, Stonehill will kick off the 2026-27 season by visiting Providence on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

2026-27 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. FDU (6)
2. Mercyhurst (1)
3. Stonehill (2)
4. Le Moyne 
5. LIU
6. Wagner
7. Chicago State
8. New Haven
9. CCSU

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