2025 NCAA Division III Tournament: Second & Third Round

Photo by Sydney Smith / CNU Athletics

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT vs LYNCHBURG | 11 AM ET | STATS | WATCH

Lynchburg heads into the NCAA Second Round with momentum after a 3–2 win over Rowan, fueled by a standout performance from First Team All-ODAC forward Khanyisile Mzizi, who recorded two goals and an assist. The Hornets (17–4) built a 3–0 halftime lead behind their penalty-corner execution, then relied on goalkeeper Shay Schoones, who tied her season high with nine saves to close out the victory.

Their reward is a trip to Newport News to face top-ranked, undefeated Christopher Newport (17–0), the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed. The Captains earned a first-round bye and enter the postseason with the nation’s best defense, ranking first in goals-against average (0.34) and shutouts per game (0.76). CNU also owns six victories over ranked opponents and finished as the unanimous No. 1 in the final NFHCA national poll.

This marks the Captains’ 14th NCAA appearance and fifth straight year hosting, while the Hornets advance to the second round for the third year in a row. Lynchburg’s ability to generate corners and Mzizi’s recent spark provide a compelling challenge, but CNU’s balance, depth, and elite defensive numbers make them a formidable opponent.

SALISBURY vs DICKINSON | 2 PM ET | STATS | WATCH

Salisbury enters the second round with confidence after a dominant 5–0 win over Denison, powered by a 24–4 shot advantage and a breakout two-goal performance from Caroline Pusey. Marli McDorman surpassed 100 career points with a goal and two assists, while the Sea Gulls generated 19 penalty corners and controlled every phase of the game.

Dickinson arrives in Newport News coming off a gritty 3–1 victory over St. Mary’s (Md.), highlighted by a two-goal outing from Nicole Uebele and steady goalkeeping from Taylor Morrow, who made four saves. The Red Devils improved to 19–3 and continue to rely on their balanced attack and defensive solidity, allowing just one second-half shot in the first-round win.

Photo by MARTY CORCORAN

JOHNS HOPKINS vs WPI | 11 AM ET | STATS | WATCH

Second-ranked Johns Hopkins enters the weekend well-rested after earning a first-round bye, carrying an 18-game win streak and fresh off its seventh straight Centennial Conference championship. The Blue Jays (19–1) have been dominant on both ends of the field, outshooting Dickinson 19–4 in the title game and getting standout performances from tournament MVP Megan Chang and goalkeeper Aubrey Kilgore. Hopkins brings deep postseason experience as well, this marks its seventh straight NCAA appearance and 13th overall.

WPI arrives in Baltimore with major momentum after a gritty 1–0 upset of No. 15 Stevenson, the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 1989. Chloe Luongo provided the game-winner, while NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year Myles Lakin delivered a 12-save performance, the most by any winning keeper in the opening round. The Engineers (15–5) survived a heavy second-half push from Stevenson, showing defensive discipline and big-moment resilience.

MIDDLEBURY vs ENDICOTT | 2 PM ET | STATS | WATCH

No. 8 Endicott enters the Second Round after a dominant 9–0 win over Keene State, led by a hat trick from Reagan Hicks and three saves from national save-percentage leader Faith Minickene. The Gulls now face No. 9 Middlebury, who advanced with a 6–0 victory over Westfield State behind four goals from Megan Fuqua.

This is a rematch of their early-season meeting, when Endicott snapped Middlebury’s 60-game non-conference unbeaten streak in a 2–1 OT win. The Panthers, however, bring extensive postseason pedigree as seven-time defending national champions and winners of 29 straight NCAA Tournament games.

Photo by Sydni Ciardi

BATES vs AMHERST | 11 AM ET | STATS | WATCH

No. 4 Bates hosts a rare all-NESCAC regional this weekend as No. 25 Amherst, No. 18 Williams, and No. 6 Tufts arrive in Lewiston for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. Bates (15–3), fresh off its first-ever NESCAC title and three straight shutouts, opens against Amherst (9–8) on Saturday at 11 a.m. Tufts (15–3) and Williams (9–8) meet at 2 p.m., with winners advancing to Sunday’s quarterfinal for a trip to the Final Four.

Bates enters with a program-record 15 wins, a top-four national seed, and elite defensive form behind goalkeeper Ava Donohue, the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Bobcats defeated both Amherst and Williams earlier this season and are 26–0 the past two years when scoring first.

Amherst arrives after a dramatic 2–1 upset of No. 10 Stevens, surviving a seven-round shootout behind goalkeeper Grace Puchalski. The Mammoths, led by Justine Liguori and first-year Emma Zhang, seek their first quarterfinal since 1999.

TUFTS vs WILLIAMS | 2 PM ET | STATS | WATCH

No. 6 Tufts (15–3) enters the weekend after an 11–0 first-round rout over Dean, the largest scoring output in program history and tied for the NCAA DIII tournament record. The Jumbos, making their 16th NCAA appearance, face Williams at 2 p.m. Saturday. Tufts owns one of the nation’s top offenses (3.61 gpg) led by Hannah Biccard’s NESCAC-best 15 goals, and anchors its defense with All-American goalkeeper Lydia Eastburn (1.05 GAA).

No. 18 Williams (9–8) advanced with a 4–0 victory over Vassar, extending their NCAA home streak to 5–0. The Ephs feature NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year Kiki Higgins (12 goals, 7 assists) and All-American goalie Ellie Smith (0.95 GAA). Williams beat Tufts 3–1 early in the season, though Tufts has dominated the series historically, including last year’s NCAA semifinal win.

Babson Athletics

BABSON vs BOWDOIN | 11 AM ET | STATS | WATCH

Regional host No. 3 Babson enters the NCAA Second Round on a 16-game win streak after claiming its fifth straight NEWMAC title. The Beavers (20–1) are powered by senior Caroline DiGiovanni (24 goals), who ranks among the nation’s top scorers, and first-year goalkeeper Madison Tibbals (0.83 GAA), who’s allowed one goal or fewer in 17 games. Babson edged Bowdoin 1–0 in their regular-season meeting.

No. 16 Bowdoin (10–7) arrives with momentum after a 7–0 first-round win over Scranton, highlighted by Emily Ferguson’s hat trick. Ferguson (14 goals) and Mackay Bommer (10 goals) lead a Polar Bears attack that erupted for six goals over the final three quarters. Veteran goalkeeper Lauren O’Donald (1.70 GAA) anchors a Bowdoin program with four national titles and a 19–7 all-time NCAA record at Ryan Field. 

WESLEYAN vs HAMILTON | 2 PM ET | STATS | WATCH

NESCAC rivals meet again as No. 7 Wesleyan faces No. 12 Hamilton with a quarterfinal berth on the line. The Cardinals (15–4) reach the second round for the second straight year after a dominant 7–0 win over Marywood in which they held a 39–0 shot advantage. Wesleyan’s balanced attack features Leila Feldman (12 goals), Meera Patel (8 goals), and NESCAC Rookie of the Year Emily Smith, while senior goalkeeper Audrey Pace anchors a defense that has posted a program-record nine shutouts.

Hamilton (12–5) arrives after a gritty 2–1 double-overtime win against No. 21 Geneseo, the program’s first NCAA victory. The Continentals have played four of their last five games into overtime and lean on key scorers Becky Felker (9 goals), Sammy Higgins (6 goals), and 2024 All-American Lilly Truchon. First-year keeper Kelly Janssen (0.83 GAA) has allowed just one goal in her last three starts.

Hamilton won the regular-season meeting 4–1 in September, but Wesleyan has taken 11 of its last 12 overall. A tight, high-intensity NESCAC rematch awaits the winner, who advances to face Babson or Bowdoin on Sunday.