GRANVILLE, OH – Second-seeded Denison earned the 2026 North Coast Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament title with a 2-0 victory over fourth-seeded John Carroll in the tournament final on Saturday, November 7. The tourney title is Denison’s sixth overall and first since 2023.
As tournament champions, Denison earned the NCAC's automatic bid into the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer tournament. The entire 64-team field will be revealed on Monday, November 9, at 11:30 a.m. on NCAA.com during the selection show.
#2 DENISON (9-2-6) 2, #4 JOHN CARROLL (6-9-4) 0
- Denison controlled the early action in Saturday's NCAC Tournament Championship Game, creating several scoring opportunities in the opening half. Senior Mattie Mielke (Denver, CO/Colorado Academy) put the Big Red on the board in the 25th minute, finishing a pass from first-year Neda Abedi (Los Altos, CA/Los Altos) to give Denison a 1-0 lead.
- The Big Red carried their momentum into the second half, continuing to pressure the John Carroll defense. Denison doubled its advantage in the 55th minute when sophomore Josie Russell (Oakwood, OH/Oakwood) found the back of the net off an assist from Mielke, extending the lead to 2-0.
- John Carroll looked to respond, putting two shots on goal in the second half, but Denison senior goalkeeper Caroline Hague (Wilmette, IL/New Trier) turned away both attempts to preserve the shutout.
- The Big Red maintained control throughout the contest, finishing with a 16-7 advantage in shots and a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. Denison also held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
- John Carroll junior goalkeeper Madison Skeese (Pataskala, OH/Watkins Memorial) recorded seven saves, while Hague finished with two stops for Denison.
The NCAC All-Tournament team announced at the conclusion of the tournament. Twelve members from Denison, John Carroll, Kenyon and Wooster made up the squad. For her efforts, Denison’s Hague was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
NCAC Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Addison Szollosi, Kenyon
Georgia Yatrakis, Kenyon
Annie Henneger, Wooster
Bella Crompton, Wooster
Evie Coutris, John Carroll
Abby Walker, John Carroll
Julia Niehaus, John Carroll
Brimmer Mather, Denison
Cassie Classen, Denison
Josie Russell, Denison
Lauren Jensen, Denison
MVP: Caroline Hague, Denison