The Division III field hockey committee announced the field of 28 teams that will compete in the 2026 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship, setting the stage for a high-stakes postseason bracket.
Tufts Aims to Defend Their 2025 Crown
- Tufts enters the postseason bracket aiming to defend their 2025 crown after securing an 18-3 record under coach Tina Mattera.
Tournament Schedule Details Upcoming Bracket Rounds
Action across the 28-team bracket gets underway with the first round scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11, broadcast live on NCAA.com according to tournament organizers. Surviving contenders advance rapidly to the second round on Saturday, Nov. 14, followed immediately by third-round fixtures on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The tournament narrows down to the penultimate stage with semifinals slated for either 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. The national championship match ultimately crowns the season at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22.
Recent Division III Champions Show Fierce Parity
Recent tournament history highlights the fierce parity at the top of Division III, even as select dynasties maintain their grip. Tufts captured the 2025 title with a tight 2-1 victory over Johns Hopkins in Hartford, Connecticut, capping an 18-3 campaign under Tina Mattera. Prior to that triumph, Middlebury strung together an extraordinary era of dominance under Katharine DeLorenzo, securing championships in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2015.
𝙏𝙐𝙉𝙀 𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙊𝙉𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏! The 2026 @NCAA Division I & III Field Hockey Selection Shows take place this evening. Division III starts at 9:00 p.m. ET, and Division I starts at 10:00 p.m. ET. Watch live on https://t.co/x1N157cv77. pic.twitter.com/yMF8gQpQA5
| Year | Champion | Record | Coach | Score | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tufts | 18-3 | Tina Mattera | 2-1 | Johns Hopkins |
| 2024 | Middlebury | 19-2 | Katharine DeLorenzo | 2-1 | Tufts |
| 2023 | Middlebury | 23-0 | Katharine DeLorenzo | 2-0 | Johns Hopkins |
| 2022 | Middlebury | 21-1 | Katharine DeLorenzo | 1-0 | Johns Hopkins |
| 2021 | Middlebury | 22-0 | Katharine DeLorenzo | 4-1 | Johns Hopkins |
Other elite programs pepper the historical ledger, including Messiah, Bowdoin, Salisbury, and TCNJ under leadership like Sharon Pfluger and Dawn Chamberlin.
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The field is almost set. ⏳🏑 Tune in tonight for the #D3fh Selection Show!#WhyD3 | 💻 https://t.co/sc4wQJbVxs pic.twitter.com/0xXTAVsFdR
