Women's Soccer | 10/29/2026 1:00:00 PM
St. John Fisher University, Nazareth University, Houghton University, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Brockport, Hartwick College, Utica University, and Elmira College will battle for the 2026 Empire 8 Women’s Soccer Championship, which starts on Saturday, Oct. 31 and wraps up Saturday, Nov. 7, with all games played at the higher seed.
All eight teams will be in action for opening round play on Saturday, Oct. 31, as No. 1 St. John Fisher will host No. 8 Elmira, No. 2 Nazareth hosts No. 7 Utica, No. 6 Hartwick travels to take on No. 3 Houghton and No. 5 SUNY Brockport heads south to face No. 4 SUNY Geneseo. The winner of St. John. Fisher vs. Elmira will take on the winner of SUNY Geneseo vs. SUNY Brockport on Wednesday, Nov. 4 in one semifinal, while the winner of Nazareth vs. Utica will face the winner of Houghton vs. Hartwick in semifinal action, also on Nov. 4. The two semifinal winners will meet for the 2026 Empire 8 Championship on Saturday, Nov. 8 at a time to be determined.
The league champion receives an automatic berth into the 2026 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship, which begins with first and second round action the weekend of Nov. 13-15.
2026 Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship Participating Teams
No. 1 – St. John Fisher University (30 points, 10-1-0 E8, 14-2-0 Overall)
No. 2 – Nazareth University (25 points, 8-2-1 E8, 10-3-3 Overall)
No. 3 – Houghton University (23 points, 7-2-2 E8, 10-5-2 Overall)
No. 4 – SUNY Geneseo (23 points, 7-2-2 E8, 9-4-3 Overall)
No. 5 – SUNY Brockport (23 points, 7-2-2 E8, 11-3-4 Overall)
No. 6 – Hartwick College (17 points, 5-4-2 E8, 5-7-4 Overall)
No. 7 – Utica University (14 points, 3-3-5 E8, 6-5-6 Overall)
No. 8 – Elmira College (13 points, 4-6-1 E8, 5-11-1 Overall)
Top-seeded St. John Fisher University has produced the Empire 8's most prolific attack this fall, scoring 48 goals through 15 games while conceding just 11. The Cardinals enter the tournament with a 14-2 overall mark, having finished 10-1 in league play to jump into the top 40 in the NCAA Women’s Soccer National Power Index. Reigning Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year Emily Woolingham leads the conference with 38 points on 16 goals and six assists, including five game-winning tallies. Olivia Kalil has added eight goals and four assists for 20 points, while Francesca Logrippo leads the league with seven assists. Goalkeeper Isabella Ayers has played all 1,440 minutes, recording a 0.73 goals-against average and seven shutouts. The Cardinals will look to carry that balanced attack and repeat as E8 Champions.
Second-seeded Nazareth University enters the championship with one of the league's stingiest defenses, allowing just 11 goals in 16 matches, a conference-best 0.69 per game. First-year Savanna Biehler has led the Golden Flyers offensively and is third in the league with 30 points on 12 goals and six assists, including four game-winning goals. Nazareth has scored 32 goals overall, while goalkeeper Katriana Walls has posted a 0.72 goals-against average over nearly 1,400 minutes of play, tops in the league. Giuliana Rodriguez has seven goals and 16 points, while Carolina Lott-Diamond has five goals and 13 points. Head Coach Gail Mann is coaching in her final Empire 8 Championship Tournament. Mann has won 13 league titles as Nazareth head coach and is looking to lead the Golden Flyers to their 14th league crown and 14th trip to the NCAA Tournament. She enters the tournament with 388 career wins.
No. 3 seed Houghton University has enjoyed its best season as an Empire 8 member to date with a 10-5-2 overall record and 7-2-2 mark in league play. The Highlanders have scored 28 goals in 17 games and recorded 10 team shutouts this season. Hope Russell leads the Highlanders with 21 points on nine goals and three assists, including four game-winning goals. Houghton has distributed 25 assists as a team, with Karryne Mims dishing out a team-best four helpers. Gracelyn Williams has 11 points on four goals and three assists, while Elena Esh has three goals. In net, Olivia Short owns a 0.78 goals-against average in 16 appearances with a league-best .844 save percentage and eight solo shutouts. Houghton is hosting its first E8 postseason game since 2023.
No. 4 seed SUNY Geneseo is looking to garner its second E8 title in three seasons. The Knights have scored 27 goals in 2026. Ella Yartym leads the Knights with 24 points on 11 goals and two assists, including five game-winning goals. She is fourth in the league in scoring. Maggie Zito has five assists, while Lauren DeMura has contributed four. Kate Pinto has four goals and two assists for 10 points. Goalkeeper Emily McLouth carries a 0.86 goals-against average in 15 appearances with a .766 save percentage. The Knights have six total shutouts on the season.
No. 5 seed SUNY Brockport has scored 33 goals through 17 games and recorded seven shutouts this fall with an 11-3-4 overall mark. Senior Amelia Breton, the 2025 Empire 8 Midfielder of the Year, has been among the Empire 8's premier finishers, scoring 15 goals and adding two assists for 32 points; her seven game-winning goals lead the conference. She has 38 career goals and 83 points in 72 career games. Brianna Marino has a team-high five assists, while McKenna Slate and Kaitlyn Spring have four goals apiece. Goalkeeper Emily McCane has a 1.02 goals-against average in 16 appearances, with a 10-3-2 mark and seven solo shutouts.
Sixth-seeded Hartwick College has relied on a disciplined defensive effort, registering seven team shutouts and allowing 19 goals in 16 contests. Ella Grupe, Sarah Jimmerson, Elizabeth Burke and Sara Moore have led the Hawks offensively, while goalkeeper Kelsey Bollen has recorded a 1.10 goals-against average in 16 appearances with a .795 save percentage. Hartwick is in the E8 Tournament for the ninth time and is looking to make its first NCAA Tournament berth as a league member.
No. 7 seed Utica University has outscored opponents 29-20 this season and has posted nine team shutouts in 18 games. The Pioneers finished 3-3-5 in E8 play. Bailey Hewson leads the Pioneers with six goals and 14 points, while Adrianna Calabria has added five goals and ranks among the team's most active shooters with 40 attempts. Cora Kraft has also provided a consistent attacking presence from the defensive end of the field. Goalkeeper Emily Duro has posted a 0.90 goals-against average over 15 appearances. The Pioneers are in the E8 Tournament for the 11th time in program history. They won the 2019 title and were in the 2018, Spring 2021 and 2022 title games.
No. 8 seed Elmira College is in E8 tourney for sixth time in program history and second time in the last three seasons. Brooke Wilcox has provided nearly half of the Soaring Eagles' scoring, tallying nine goals and two assists for 20 points while leading the team with 39 shots. Elmira, who won four league games, has made 87 saves as a team, with goalkeeper Sarah Cantrell recording a 1.73 goals-against average in 16 appearances. Amy Ferrier, Isabella Reuter and Bella Thomas have also contributed offensively, while Tierney Krawczyk leads the defensive unit.
First round opponents St. John Fisher and Elmira met earlier in the season on Sept. 30, with the Cardinals earning a 4-0 road win. Nazareth and Utica played to a scoreless draw on Oct. 17, while Houghton opened the E8 regular season schedule with a 2-1 home win over Hartwick on Sept. 12. Geneseo and Brockport played to an exciting 2-2 draw in Geneseo on Sept. 23.
St. John Fisher is looking to repeat as E8 Champions, while Nazareth is looking for its fourth title in the last six seasons and 14th league championship overall for head coach Gail Mann, who is coaching her final season for the Golden Flyers. Geneseo is looking to earn its second E8 title in three seasons, while and Utica is aiming to win its second E8 title, also having won in 2019. Hartwick was an Empire 8 co-Champion in 2017. Brockport, Houghton, and Elmira are all looking for their first league championship.
This E8 championship schedule is below. For the most up to date information on this year's championship, visit
www.empire8.com or follow the Empire 8 Conference on Twitter and Instagram (@Empire8).
2026 Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship Schedule
Saturday, October 31 – First Round
No. 8 Elmira at No. 1 St. John Fisher – 6 p.m.
No. 7 Utica at No. 2 Nazareth – 11 a.m.
No. 6 Hartwick at No. 3 Houghton – 1 p.m.
No. 5 SUNY Brockport at No. 4 SUNY Geneseo – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4 – Semifinals (at Higher Seed)
Winner of St. John Fisher/Elmira vs. Winner of SUNY Geneseo/SUNY Brockport – TBD
Winner of Nazareth/Utica vs. Winner of Houghton/Hartwick – TBD
Saturday, November 7 - Championship Final
Winner of Semifinal Game 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal Game 2 at Highest Remaining Seed – TBD
Admission
$10.00 – Adults
$5.00 – Seniors
$2.00 – Students (with ID from competing institution)
Free – Children under 12