Official Bracket
 
EWING, N.J. -  The sixth-ranked TCNJ women's soccer team was selected to host the first and second rounds of the 2026 Division III Women's Soccer NCAA Tournament, as announced by the association this afternoon. This will be the Lions' third time hosting in the last four seasons, previously opening the tournament at home in both 2023 and 2024.
 
TCNJ's pod features a first-round matchup against Mount Saint Vincent, with Mary Washington and Colby set to meet in a neutral site match before the winners of Saturday's games meet in the second round with a spot in the Round of 16 on the line.
 
Leading the way for the 2026 Lions (14-1-3) is First Team All-Conference selection Jenny Ward, who has enjoyed a breakout campaign in which she leads the team and ranks in the top-25 nationally with 15 goals to pair with six assists. Ward was especially impressive during the back-half of the regular season, posting 11 goals and three helpers in TCNJ's final 10 games – a stretch in which the Lions went 9-1.
 
Alyssa Alfano (6G / 9A) and Maggie Murphy (9G / 3A) round out a deadly front three for TCNJ, which defensively also ranks just outside the top-30 in Division III in goals against average (0.49). Running the show on that end of the field are Isabella Daley, Elaina Williams and Isabella Charles as well as netminder, Ellen Williams, who is fresh off a six-save effort in the Lions' penalty-shootout win over second-ranked Rowan in the NJAC Championship game.
 
Mount Saint Vincent is back in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in four years after winning the Skyline Conference Championship to earn the league's automatic bid. The Dolphins boast one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country, ranking fourth in Division III in assists (57) and points (193) while ranking eighth in goals (68). Four players have scored at least seven times in 2026, with Ariana Hernandez pacing the team with 21 points on seven goals and seven assists despite playing just 12 games.
 
Colby (9-4-3) earned an at-large bid to the Big Dance despite falling to Middlebury in the 2026 NESCAC Quarterfinals, marking the program's third straight season with an NCAA Tournament appearance. The Mules are led offensively by senior Abigail Jarvi (8 goals), but a defense that has allowed just 0.88 goals per game in a well-rounded conference is the calling card for a Colby team looking to advance to the Second Round for a third consecutive year.
 
Mary Washington rounds out the pod after claiming an at-large bid for the second straight season. The Eagles posted a number of strong results during the regular season, including a tie against then-No. 2 Washington & Lee as well as a win over eventual Coast-to-Coast Conference Champion Christopher Newport. Maci Landel led the conference in both goals (7) and assists (7), but once again Mary Washington hangs its hat on the defensive end where the Eagles rank 17th in Division III in goals against average (0.44).
 
The opening round will kick off Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. with a matchup between TCNJ and Mount Saint Vincent. Colby and Mary Washington will then face off at 1:30 p.m., with the winners from both first-round games set to meet Sunday, Nov. 15. Kickoff for the second round is at 1 p.m.