NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 14, 2026) – The NCAA released the first Division II NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings for women’s soccer on Monday. The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has two of the top five teams in the East Region with Thomas Jefferson University fourth and the University of Bridgeport fifth.

The NCAA Power Index is a ranking system used to evaluate team performance. NPI considers both a team’s results and the strength of the teams it plays. Sport committees establish settings, referred to as dials, that determine how certain factors are applied within the NPI calculation.

Division II is using NPI for ranking and NCAA Championship selection for the first time in 2026-27. NPI rankings for soccer will be released again on Oct. 19, and then daily (Monday-Friday) beginning on Oct. 26.

Jefferson is 7-1-2 overall and 6-0 in CACC play (18 points). Bridgeport has a won-lost-tied record of 7-1-4 and leads the CACC by points with 19 (6-0-1). The Rams are also No. 4 and the Purple Knights No. 5 in the most recent Intercollegiate Women’s Soccer Organization for Coaches East Region ranking.

The NCAA will announce the 56-team field for the 2026 Division II Women’s Soccer Championship on Monday, November 9. The East Region will receive automatic qualifiers from the CACC, East Coast Conference, and Northeast 10 Conference plus three at-large berths.

 

Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 21 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – seven for men, 10 for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.