INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Following a historic season in which the Rivier University women's soccer team captured its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship in program history, the Raiders have earned their first-ever selection to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. Rivier will travel to Baltimore, Md., to take on Johns Hopkins University in the first round of the tournament on Saturday, November 14, as the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament bracket was announced Monday morning.
Rivier (15-4-3) will face Johns Hopkins (15-1-2) in the opening round at 1:00 p.m. at Homewood Field, with Christopher Newport (11-2-4) taking on Hamilton (11-3-3) in the other first-round matchup shortly after at 3:30 p.m. The winners of Saturday's contests will advance to Sunday's second round, with a spot in the third round on the line. Johns Hopkins is one of 16 teams selected to host the opening two rounds of the tournament.
Official NCAA Division III
Women's Soccer
Tournament Bracket
Rivier secured its automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after defeating Norwich, 5-1, in the GNAC Championship game on Saturday, November 7. The victory capped a historic postseason run for the Raiders, who claimed the first conference championship in program history. Rivier enters the national tournament riding a six-game winning streak and sporting a 15-4-3 overall record, including a 10-1-2 mark in GNAC play under fourth year head coach, Dan Milton.
The Raiders are making their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament after establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the GNAC throughout the 2026 campaign. Rivier's championship run marks a significant milestone for the program, earning the Raiders an opportunity to compete on the national stage.
Johns Hopkins earned its place in the tournament after capturing the Centennial Conference Championship with a 1-0 victory over Dickinson on Sunday. The Blue Jays enter the tournament with a 15-1-2 overall record and will make their 24th NCAA Tournament appearance, including their 21st consecutive trip. Johns Hopkins claimed the national championship in 2022 and holds a 43-21-3 all-time record in NCAA Tournament play.
Christopher Newport earned an automatic bid after winning the Coast to Coast Conference Championship in penalty kicks against Mary Washington on Sunday. The Captains enter the tournament with an 11-2-4 record and are making their 18th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, including their 10th consecutive trip. Christopher Newport captured the national championship in 2021.
Hamilton received an at-large bid after reaching the NESCAC Semifinals, where the Continentals fell to eventual runner-up Tufts, 2-1, on Saturday. Hamilton enters the tournament with an 11-3-3 overall record and will make its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance, its first since 2021.
Tickets will be available at the gate on Saturday and Sunday starting one hour prior to the start of the first game each day. Single-day tickets will be $15 for adults and $5 for college students with ID and kids under 18. A two-day ticket will also be available for $25 for adults and $8 for college students with ID and kids under 18. Children under two are free. Tickets will not be available for purchase in advance.
