Women's Flag Football | 3/20/2026 10:00:00 AM
The inaugural Empire 8 Flag Football season is underway. League play will begin on Tuesday, March 24 with a matchup between Elmira College and Hartwick College. SUNY Brockport, SUNY Geneseo and Russell Sage will also battle for the 2026 Empire 8 Championship. Women's flag football becomes the 28th championship sponsored Empire 8 sport.
The 2026 Empire 8 Conference Women's Flag Football Tournament will feature the conference's top four teams from regular season play. The top seed will host the No. 4 seed in one semifinal and the No. 2 seed will host the No. 3 seed in the second semifinal on Tuesday, April 21. The two semifinal winners will meet on Friday, April 24 in the E8 Championship at the home of the highest remaining seed.
“Empire 8 is ecstatic to sponsor women's flag football,” said Empire 8 Executive Director Chuck Mitrano. “The student-athletes in our geographic region are passionate about the emergence of flag football and Empire 8 is excited to support the growth and expansion of high-quality opportunities to women who wish to compete at the collegiate level. We thrive on providing all-around exceptional student-athlete experiences and are excited to collaborate with NFL Flag, RCX Sports, the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and New York Giants to elevate this opportunity for women nationally.”
The average roster size is around 25 players that will play 7-on-7. A contest will consist of four 12-minute quarters on a field that is 80x40 yards. The offense has four downs to cross each 20-yard line for a first down with an option to punt at third down. If unsuccessful, teams surrender possession to their opponent.
Teams score six points for a touchdown and can gain an extra one or two points for a set play from the five- or 10-yard lines. Players will wear tightly fixed flag belts with sockets and two pop flags on either side of their hips.
Fans can watch the action all season long, free of charge on the Empire 8 Network.
2026 Empire 8 Women's Flag Football Players to Watch
(Sorted Alphabetically by Institution)
SUNY BROCKPORT - Head Coach Charrise Everett
Megan Gerber, Sr., QB, Buffalo, NY/Sweet Home - Gerber has all-around athleticism and speed as a two-sport athlete for the Golden Eagles. She's a dynamic quarterback who can run and throw. Gerber was an All-Empire 8 first team selection as a midfielder on the women's soccer team last fall.
Hannah Roxstrom, Fr., S/WR, Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia - Roxstrom was the Section V Class B Defensive Player of the Year at Greece Olympia last year. She has a great ability to read and track the ball in the secondary.
ELMIRA COLLEGE - Head Coach Savannah Terry
Amarionah Dixon, Sr., WR, Elmira, NY/Elmira - Dixon, a dual sport athlete for the Soaring Eagles, is expected to be one of the top targets this season. She will be an exciting route runner. Dixon was an All-Empire 8 third team selection as a women's basketball player for Elmira in 2025-26.
Hannah Smith, So., QB, Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post - Smith will be the leader of the offense for the Soaring Eagles as the quarterback.
SUNY GENESEO - Head Coach Rob Currin
Corina Dunn, Jr., C/WR, Le Roy, NY/Le Roy - Dunn is a versatile threat for the Knights, lining up at center and wide receiver and poised to force opposing defenses to account for her. An experienced flag football player, she contributed to Le Roy High School's inaugural program and helped Geneseo's inaugural spring pilot team last year. She is quickly emerging a a development-focused standout and leader among her teammates.
Ella Koopman, So., QB, Fredonia, NY/Fredonia - Koopman is a dual-threat quarterback. She joined the team this fall after transferring from Nazareth University's socer program. She helped her high school team win a sectional title and has quickly embraced her role as a signal caller, earning her teammate's trust through selfless leadership and tireless work both on and off the field.
HARTWICK COLLEGE - Head Coach Aaron Zurn
Audra Doll, Fr., QB, Greene, NY/Greene - Doll will start at quarterback for the Hawks. She earned third team all-state honors as a senior in high school. Doll is a dual threat quarterback with the ability to throw and run.
Reese Malfettone, Fr., DL, Holtsville, NY/Sachem East - Malfettone will be a key piece on the Hartwick defensive line. She is aggressive and can cause problems for opposing teams in the backfield.
RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE - Head Coach Denver Divens
Hailey Blake, So., WR/S, Colonie, NY - Blake, an all-conference wide receiver in section two, is speedy and has great hands. She is one of the multiple two-sport atheltes on the team.
Bianca Ricciuto, Jr., QB, Montgomery, NY/Valley Central - Ricciuto is a dual threat quarterback. She will be able to run while also having a great arm that is a threat to opposing defenses.