The College of New Jersey has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2003 New Jersey Athletic Conference Field Hockey Championship in a poll completed by the head coaches around the league. The Lions, who finished second last season to eventual NCAA Division III National Champion Rowan, will be looking to win their 19th NJAC championship since the conference's inception in 1982. Under the direction of 19th-year head coach Sharon Pfluger, TCNJ has posted a record of 337-53-9. The Lions return three 2002 All-Conference team members in defenders Jackie Scullin and Kim Feeley, and forward Colleen Stamler.

Rowan, who captured the 2002 NCAA Division III National Championship with a perfect 21-0 record under the direction of NJAC Coach of the Year Penny Kempf, finished second in the poll. The Profs return two 2002 NJAC All-Conference team members in midfielder Michelle Thornton and  NJAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year Becky Peterson.
 
Rounding out the rest of the top finishers in the preseason poll are Montclair State in third, William Paterson in fourth, Kean in fifth and first-year program Richard Stockton in sixth.

The New Jersey Athletic Conference does not sponsor a postseason tournament in field hockey, meaning the regular season champion is awarded the conference crown.

League play will begin on September 13 when preseason favorite TCNJ travels to face the coaches' dark horse selection, Montclair State at 1:00 PM. Conference play concludes on November 5 when newcomer Richard Stockton hosts Kean at 2:30 PM.