NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 30, 2026) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference members Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Bridgeport are among the top five teams in the East Region in the Division II Women’s Soccer NCAA Power Index rankings in games through Thursday, the NCAA has released.

Jefferson is the third-ranked team in the East, while Bridgeport sits in the fifth spot. The Rams and Purple Knights, who have been in the top six of the regional NPI rankings since they debuted on Oct. 12, are the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively, for the upcoming CACC Championship tournament. Both will host quarterfinal matches on Sunday.

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.

Jefferson, 13-1-2 overall, won its fourth consecutive CACC regular-season title with a perfect 11-0 conference mark. The Rams welcome Felician University to Philadelphia for first-round playoff action on Sunday at noon. Bridgeport boasts a 10-2-5 overall won-lost-tied record and finished second in the conference with 28 points (9-1-1). The Purple Knights face Goldey-Beacom College at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The NCAA will announce the 56-team field for the 2026 Division II Women’s Soccer Championship on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. on ncaa.com.  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.