MERION STATION, Pa. – The home of Saint Joseph's field hockey received a facelift over the summer as the pitch at Ellen Ryan Field was replaced with a new top-of-the-line playing surface.
 
The new-look facility will see its first official game action on Friday, September 6, when the 13^th-ranked Hawks host #16 Penn State.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set to take place prior to the contest.
 
A brand-new AstroTurf Poligras Platinum Turf surface; certified by FIH, the international governing body of field hockey, Poligras was the surface of choice for both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.  The Poligras Platinum surface can also be found all across collegiate field hockey, including the facilities of other elite programs such as the University of Michigan, the University of Connecticut, Harvard University, and many others.
 
Beneath the surface sits a new 10mm elastic layer pad known as an "E-Layer" that acts as a cushioning layer, providing shock absorption and protecting the turf from wear and tear, while also maintaining a consistent and high-level playing surface.
 
Surrounding the playing field is a new black border featuring full-color logos as well as placing the name "Ellen Ryan Field" on the surface for the first time.  New team shelters have been added to the facility as well, offering protection to coaches and student-athletes during inclement weather.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for our brand-new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf," head coach Hannah Prince said.  "This facility is designed to help us perform at our best, providing an FIH-level surface that enhances our game.
 
"A special 'thank you' goes out to the University, and specifically to our President, Dr. Cheryl McConnell, Vice President and Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner, Deputy Athletics Director for Operations and Campus Recreation Amanda Hall, and Construction Project Manager Jason Massey for their dedication and hard work in making this project a reality."
 
Ellen Ryan Field saw its first action during the 2011 season and has hosted the Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Championship on four occasions; the new surface will play host to the tournament for the first time in 2024.