Aquinas Academy Field Hockey enters the 2026 season with experience, talent and an opportunity to make some noise in WPIAL Class A. Head Coach Mr. Albert Casas, now in his fourth season leading the Crusaders, has a senior-heavy group that has been through plenty of varsity competition together. At the same time, a talented freshman class is beginning to emerge, giving Casas reason to be excited about both the present and future of the program. The landscape in Class A looks different this season. Five-time defending WPIAL champion Shady Side Academy has moved up in classification, leaving just four teams competing in Class A: Aquinas Academy, Oakland Catholic, Winchester Thurston and The Ellis School. For the Crusaders, that creates an opportunity, but certainly not an easy road. Aquinas has built a schedule that includes strong opponents from the higher classifications, giving the Crusaders a chance to test themselves against some of the best field hockey programs in the area. Those games are especially important for a veteran team with postseason aspirations. One of the biggest measuring sticks within Class A will be The Ellis School. Aquinas has already faced Ellis once this season, falling 2-0, but Casas and senior captains Claire Urban, Brigid Mercer and Aarona Casas Arnedos came away believing the difference was found in correctable mistakes. That has added to the team's confidence that Aquinas can be right in the mix when the Class A postseason arrives. With Shady Side Academy moving out of the classification, the door is open for someone new to emerge. The Crusaders are hungry to capitalize on that opportunity, but they know nothing will simply be handed to them. Aquinas also has an example within its own senior class of where commitment to the sport can lead. Senior Grace Chrobak has committed to continue her field hockey career at Washington & Jefferson College. Casas sees Chrobak's opportunity to play at the collegiate level as something that can have an impact beyond one player. For the younger girls in the program, it provides a tangible example of what can happen when they set their sights high, work toward a goal and continue developing their game. That message is particularly valuable with a promising group of freshmen beginning their high school careers. Aquinas has a veteran core capable of competing now, while younger players are getting an opportunity to learn from a senior class that has helped build the program over the past several seasons. The Crusaders know the road through Class A will still be challenging. Ellis, Oakland Catholic and Winchester Thurston all stand between Aquinas and its goals, while the team's non-classification schedule will continue to provide difficult tests. But with an experienced senior class, emerging young talent and a new opportunity in the Class A postseason picture, Casas and the Crusaders believe they should once again be knocking on the door. And this year, they are hoping to knock it down. Watch the 2026 Aquinas Field Hockey Season Preview: https://youtu.be/gTgI5vQddgc Follow Aquinas Athletics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquinascrusaders/ Follow Aquinas Athletics on X: https://x.com/AquinasAD For the latest Aquinas Academy Athletics news, schedules, results and more, visit: https://aquinascrusaders.org/ #GoAquinas #AquinasAthletics