GRANTHAM, Pa. – The nineteenth-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team earned an automatic bid to the 2026 DIII Women's Soccer NCAA Tournament. With the nineteenth-seed, the Falcons will travel to MIT for the opening weekend starting on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Falcons open the tournament against the Golden Flyers of Nazareth University on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m. The Engineers of MIT and the Warriors of Eastern Connecticut St. play in the other opening round game at 11:00 a.m. The winners of each game will play on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 p.m. for a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on the line.
Fans should note that tickets must be purchased to attend an NCAA Tournament game. At MIT ticket purchases are online only. The prices for tickets are adults: $15 and students and children (ages 3-12): $5. Fans can purchase their tickets early
No. 19 Messiah University Falcons
14-2-3 Overall Record, MAC Commonwealth Champions
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How We Got Here
The Falcons enter the NCAA tournament with a 14-2-3 overall record with a 7-0-1 record in MAC Commonwealth play. The Falcons opened the season with a 0-1-2 record in their first three games against ranked opponents. The Falcons capped off non-conference play with a 5-1 record, with the lone loss coming against No. 6 Rowan. The Falcons ended conference play with a 7-0-1 record, outscoring opponents, 39-0 with their lone draw coming against York on Oct. 20.
In the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals, the Falcons rolled to a 6-0 win over Albright College to advance to the MAC Commonwealth Championship game. The Falcons earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after defeating the Spartans of York College in the Championship game, 2-0.
Addi Martin and
Nikki Davis each scored goals in the first half to lead the Falcons.
The Falcons offense ranks as one of the top units in the country this season. The Falcons rank fourth in shots per game (23.89), eighth in corners per game (8.11), 13th in points per game (9.16), and 16th in goals per game (3.21). The Falcons' defense has also been dominant this season, ranking seventh in the country with a .737 shutout percentage and 25th with a .474 goals-against average.
Players to Watch
#6
Addi Martin: 17 goals, six assists, 40 points, 49 SOG, six GWG
#17
Alayna Williams: 13 goals, eight assists, 34 points, 25 SOG, three GWG
#11
Brittany Hoffman: 10 goals, 20 points, 23 SOG, one GWG
#25
Hannah Lashley: Three goals, 12 assists, 18 points, 26 SOG
#14
Lauren Kenny: Two goals, 10 assists, 14 points, 14 SOG
#3
Molly Adams: Five goals, 10 points, 10 SOG, one GWG
#5
Nikki Davis: Three goals, four assists, 10 points, 12 SOG
#12
Mia Libby: Two goals, four assists, nine SOG, two GWG
#1
Ellie Ockrin: 19 games started, 19 saves, .679 save percentage, nine shutouts
Nazareth University Golden Flyers
13-3-3 Overall Record, Empire 8 Champions
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How They Got Here
The Golden Flyers enter the NCAA Tournament with a 13-3-3 overall record with an 8-2-1 record in Empire 8 play. The Golden Flyers went 2-1-2 in non-conference play on the season, with wins coming against Fredonia and Ohio Northern. The Golden Flyers then went 8-2-1 in Empire 8 play to earn the top seed in the conference tournament.
The Golden Flyers opened the Empire 8 tournament with a 2-0 win over Utica. The Golden Flyers then cruised to a 5-2 win over Houghton in the Semifinals to earn a trip to the Championship game. The Golden Flyers then earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 3-1 win over SUNY Geneseo in the Championship Game.
The Golden Flyers were led by their high-flying offense. Nazareth ranked 37th in country in shots on goal per game (10.00), 43rd in total goals (50), 53rd in total points (135), and 85th in shots per game (17.74). The Golden Flyers defense ranked in the middle of the country with a .421 shutout percentage and finished 66th with a .737 goals-against average.
Players to Watch
#14 Savanna Biehler: 14 goals, nine assists, 37 points, 38 SOG, five GWG
#35 Giuliana Rodriguez: Nine goals, five assists, 23 points, 25 SOG, two GWG
#18 Shannon Sgombick: Seven goals, four assists, 18 points, 17 SOG, two GWG
#27 Carolina Lott-Diamond: Five goals, three assists, 13 points, 17 SOG, one GWG
#8 Kiyomi Mastro: Three goals, three assists, nine points, 12 SOG, one GWG
#22 Brynn Furbeck: Two goals, three assists, seven points, 13 SOG
#7 Aubrey Rizzo: Three goals, one assist, seven points, seven SOG, one GWG
#1 Katriana Walls: 19 games started, 70 saves, .833 save percentage, six shutouts
History Against Messiah
The Falcons and Golden Flyers have met once in program history with the Falcons taking down the Golden Flyers, 3-0 in the Sweet Sixteen in 2014.
No. 16 MIT Engineers
20-3-1 Overall Record, NEWMAC Champions
How They Got Here
The Engineers enter the NCAA Tournament with a 20-2-1 overall record with a perfect 11-0 record in NEWMAC play. The Engineers went 6-2-1 in non-conference play with their lone two losses coming against No. 5 Tufts and No. 1 WashU. The Engineers rolled through conference play with an undefeated record, outscoring teams, 44-1.
The Engineers opened the NEWMAC Tournament with a 3-0 win over Springfield College. MIT then advanced to the Championship game with a 2-1 win over WPI in the Semifinal game. The Engineers earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 4-0 win over Salve Regina in the NEWMAC Championship game.
The Engineers offense rank as one of the best units in the country in 2026. The Engineers rank fourth in total points (193), fifth in goals (72), 14th in shots per game (21.61), 17th in corners per game (7.61), and 25th in shots on goal per game (10.57). MIT's defense is also one of the best in the country, ranking third in shutout percentage (.783) and fourth in goals-against average (.304).
Players To Watch
#15 Arianna Doss: 12 goals, 13 assists, 37 points, 35 SOG, five GWG
#11 Claire Zhang: 14 goals, three assists, 31 points, 42 SOG, four GWG
#14 Andrea Cummings: Seven goals, three assists, 17 points, 12 SOG, three GWG
#13 Ayla Sumer: Six goals, five assists, 17 points, 30 SOG, two GWG
#9 Madeline Seebeck: Five goals, three assists, 13 points, 10 SOG, two GWG
#23 Madelyn Popilek: Six goals, 12 points, 19 SOG, one GWG
#20 Chloe Dai: Four goals, three assists, 11 points, 14 SOG
#0 Maddy Noll: 19 games started, 40 saves, .889 save percentage, 10 shutouts
History Against Messiah
The Falcons and Engineers have met twice in program history, with the Falcons most recently winning, 5-0 in the Sweet Sixteen in 2017.
Eastern Connecticut State Warriors
13-2-2 Overall Record, LEC Champions
The Warriors enter the NCAA Tournament with a 13-2-2 overall record with a 6-0-2 record in LEC play. The Warriors went 5-2 in non-conference play, with their losses coming to Westfield St. and SUNY Oneonta. The Warriors earned the top-seed in the LEC Tournament with a 6-0-2 record in conference play.
The Warriors opened the LEC tournament with a 3-0 win over Rhode Island College in the Semifinal game. The Warriors then defeated UMass Boston in the Championship game, 3-1 to earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Warriors offense has been one of top units in the country this season. The Warriors ranks seventh in corner kicks per game (8.12), 13th in shots per game (21.65), 17th in shots per goal per game (11.00), 27th in points per game (8.41), and 34th in goals per game (2.88). The Warriors defense ranks in the middle of the country in shutout percentage but ranks 58th with a .688 goals-against average.
Players to Watch
#13 Emily McKelvey: 16 goals, three assists, 35 points, 37 SOG, six GWG
#4 Michaela Gasparri: Seven goals, 11 assists, 25 points, 25 SOG, one GWG
#8 Alana Burnell: Four goals, six assists, 14 points, 25 SOG, one GWG
#21 Faith Corona: Five goals, three assists, 13 points, 18 SOG, three GWG
#29 Jordan Fabry: Three goals, six assists, 12 points, 15 SOG, one GWG
#16 Arianna Tomassi: Two goals, three assists, seven points, 11 SOG
#1 Alex Ignatowicz: 14 games started, 44 saves, .880 save percentage, five shutouts
History Against Messiah
The Falcons and Warriors have never met in program history.
