NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 31, 2026) – No. 1 seed Wilmington University earned a 3-1 victory over No. 8 seed Caldwell University during the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Men’s Soccer Championship tournament on Saturday afternoon in Newark, Del. All four of the tournament’s quarterfinal matches were contested on Saturday, and Wilmington was the only home team to advance to the semifinals.
Tournament information is available at the CACC Championship Central webpage.
A comeback, a shootout, and a goal in extra time propelled three lower-seeded teams to join the Wildcats in the semifinals. The comeback belonged to defending champion University of Bridgeport. The No. 5 seed Purple Knights travelled to Philadelphia and scored three times in the final 17 minutes to get past No. 4 seed Holy Family University, 3-2. Also in Philadelphia, No. 7 seed Post University edged No. 2 seed Thomas Jefferson University, 5-4, in penalty kicks after 110 minutes left the sides deadlocked, 2-2. In a night contest, No. 6 seed Georgian Court University used a 106th minute goal to top No. 3 seed Felician University, 2-1, in Rutherford, N.J.
The semifinals will be contested on Tuesday. Wilmington will welcome Bridgeport to Newark for a 1 p.m. kickoff. At the same time, Post will travel to Lakewood, N.J., for a matchup with Georgian Court.
Tuesday’s winners will meet on Saturday, November 7, at 10 a.m. in the championship final, with the Wilmington University Athletics Complex as the predetermined site. The winner of the 2026 CACC Men’s Soccer Championship will earn the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Super-Region 1 Tournament.
Tickets for all rounds of the 2026 CACC Men’s Soccer Championship are $10 for adults, and $5 for children, senior citizens (65+) and students with valid identification. Children under three years of age will be admitted free.
No. 1 WILMINGTON 3, No. 8 CALDWELL 1
Freshman Vaughn Clement notched all three goals for the Wildcats (10-4-5), who will be playing in their 12th semifinal in their last 14 tournaments. Clement opened the scoring just 8:07 into the contest, before tallying a key goal in the 62nd minute. The Cougars (6-9-2) cut the lead in half on a penalty conversion by Leopold Neumeier with just under 21 minutes remaining but were rarely dangerous thereafter. Vaugn completed the hat trick with 20 seconds showing on the game clock.
No. 5 BRIDGEPORT 3, No. 4 HOLY FAMILY 2
Kristians Prieditis, the CACC’s leading scorer, had two goals and an assist in a span of 11:17 to key the Purple Knights’ comeback. UB (8-7-3) owned first-half edges of 12-2 in shots and 5-0 in corner kicks but found itself in a scoreless tie at the break. The Tigers surged ahead with goals in the 59th and 67th minutes before Prieditis put the visitors on the scoreboard with 16:48 to play in regulation. Bridgeport received the equalizer from Loik Poder in the 82nd minute, and Prieditis struck again with 5:31 left. Ricardo Paniccia Giraldez had a goal and an assist and Ever Maradiaga also scored for HFU (6-6-7).
No. 7 POST 2, No. 2 JEFFERSON 2 (2 OT) (Post advances in PKs, 5-4)
With the shootout even at 4-4 and the Rams (7-8-3) shooting for the victory, Eagle goalkeeper Francisco Pinochet made a save to keep his team’s hopes alive. Pinochet was the Post shooter in Round 6 and converted, which turned out to be the decider when Jefferson’s next effort went wide. The Eagles (6-6-6), who reached their 11th consecutive CACC semifinal, forced extra time on Filipe Canastra’s 82nd-minute score. Ram keeper J.R. Sexton made five saves during the two overtime periods. Pedro Vercosa assisted on both Eagle goals.
NO. 6 GEORGIAN COURT 2, No 3 FELICIAN 1 (2 OT)
A one-timer from inside the 18-yard box by Bryan Sanchez midway through the second extra session sent the visitors home happy. Sanchez was the first man to a low clear attempt by the Golden Falcons (6-5-8). The Lions (10-6-3) owned a 26-11 shot advantage, including 6-0 in overtime, but Felician goalkeeper Mathias Kristoffersen kept his team in contention with 10 saves. Lennox Blue Lebelt had six saves and Sander Rynning also scored for GCU. Bartu Yakkan had the Golden Falcon goal.
2026 CACC MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Quarterfinals – Saturday, October 31 (at sites of higher seeds)
#1 Wilmington 3, #8 Caldwell 1
#5 Bridgeport 3, #4 Holy Family 2
#6 Georgian Court 2, #3 Felician 1 (2 OT)
#7 Post 2, #2 Jefferson 2 (2 OT) (Post advances on PKs, 5-4)
Semifinals – Tuesday, November 3 (at sites of higher seeds)
Bridgeport at Wilmington, 1 p.m.
Post at Georgian Court, 1 p.m.
Championship Final – Saturday, November 7
(at Wilmington University Athletics Complex, Newark, Del.)
Semifinal Winner vs. Semifinal Winner, 10 a.m.
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.