The Best of the Best Division III Soccer Programs

I receive a number of requests asking me about the types of programs that capture a lot of the soccer that I enjoy watching. Since each school is unique, so too are the programs they represent. After all, and if you didn’t know, possession, position, space, and playing between the four corners is my preferred way, there is enough variety in the game that I enjoy watching some more than others. This isn’t to say that they are not successful, or that my picks are the “best”.

All things being equal, if I have a variety of games to choose from, I would probably defer to these teams. Keep in mind, this isn’t like the Men’s Top 25 and the Women’s Top 25. Those polls are based on wins/losses, and a whole slew of different metrics. This is not. This is not grading the experience of being a player in the program, this is just based on stylistic points for how they play, and judged based on how they play game in and game out.

Goya and Campbell’s Soup

Just to reiterate what should be obvious, there is no methodology to this list either. This is purely based on aesthetics. Like art and beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder. For exampe I like Francisco Goya as an artist, and I understand that others may be inclined to be Andy Warhol enthusiasts.

Why someone would prefer Andy Warhol, I have no idea…..

So after that exposition on art, lets get on with it. But before we do, here is Nick Lowe to do the intro…..

Top Women’s Soccer Playing Programs

Messiah – Much like their male counterparts, Messiah loves the ball and loves to always be on the front foot. You can learn a lot of possession based soccer from watching them play out of the back.

Christopher Newport University – Was impressed during their national championship run in 2021with their control of the tempo of a game, their ability to break out quick, and how they can slow down the pace of a game if it suits them. This hasn’t changed since.

Cal Lutheran – The 2023 National Champions looked spectacular in possession, poised under pressure with the ability to find the open spaces from where to go on the attack.

Wash U – I had the Bears winning it all. Between their possession of the ball and relentless attack, they were superb all season long.

Pomona-Pitzer – If we had to have a National Champion come out of the SCIAC it could have been the Sagehens. Another great California team who beat the National Champions in the SCIAC Tournament Final.

Mary Hardin Baylor – The Cru could play. Great in possession and were a defensive wall. Were they seemingly struggle is on …. PKs… having lost to Emory 3-0 in PKs in the first round of the NCAA.

William Smith – Great on the ball and one of the elites in 2023, relentless on attack. They are certainly difficult to contain when they have the ball.

Hartford – New comers to Division III. Couldn’t compete for conference tournament or the NCAAs. Powerful on the attack. Relentless and unforgiving in front of goal. When in possession they control the ball high in the other teams half and their defense was their midfield.

Tufts – They have a wonderful combination of grit, coordination in the attack, and tenacity. Doing the NCAA tournament they came alive making it to the semifinals.

Top Men’s Soccer Playing Programs

St. Olaf – The National Champions were a masterclass in possession and dynamism in the attack. Organized, patient and efficient. They were very difficult to contain.

Messiah – Long a fan of Messiah. Think they are the best men’s team in the country purely based on how they play. They are by far the best passing and most possession based team in the country.

Mary Washington – Another program that is dominant on the ball and looking to control the game in the other teams half. Multiple ways in which they can go after you, nevertheless it starts with their ball movement out of the back and through the midfield.

Occidental – This California program was a revelation to me this year. Teams out west, in particular Occidental, play a much more technical game. Using possession and space, they go after opponents methodically. Gave Amherst a run for their money in a game they should have won.

Connecticut College – We saw a return of the 2021 National Championship style of play that made Connecticut such a team. Looking to control the ball to spring their wingers for a lightning quick attack, think they are one of the best NESCAC teams in possession.

SUNY Cortland – The Red Dragons had an epic season, and thought they were one of the best soccer teams in the country. Moved the ball very well, strong defensively and always organized in attack.

Washington College – A complete team, comfortable in possession and defended as a team. Their control of the ball gave them the opportunity to win a number of key match ups in the NCAA.

Washington & Lee – One of the elite soccer teams in the country. On the ball they can move it around you with speed and intent. Control tempos of the game simply by making the other team chase.

Kenyon – Team that started slowly but always had this quality that make it one of the best programs in the United States. Equal amounts of skill and control, they exploit space better than any other team in the country.

Colorado College – Some great soccer played in the SCAC, and at least in 2023, Colorado College was the top of the game. Grew into the year and was masterful building out of possession and taking advantage of fast breaks when it was available.

Denison – Coach Bianco is one of the best in the business and is building a national powerhouse. Work the ball on the ground and defend as a team.

Johns Hopkins – Centennial Conference power, love the ball on the deck, and position themselves as if it were a chess match. Some real interesting soccer coming out of Baltimore.

Tufts – Relentless on attack, with speed, and always with a mind to goal. Great work in the midfield, break through lines that if you fall asleep for a moment, they will punish you.

Consistently Good Soccer

One of the hallmarks to all these programs is that they have consistently had good soccer since I started watching them. Not something that is easy to do given the nature of college soccer. I could have made these lists longer and there are some great programs out there that I have on the radar. On the men’s side, I have been impressed with Oglethorpe, North Central, John Carroll and Chicago. And on the women’s, I could have included Loras, Misericordia, and Case Western.

But such is the nature of lists. Maybe during my next illness I will try to expand it…. until then …..

I will post this to the D3Soccer.Fans Boards if you care to opine on your own list. Or feel free to comment below.

SC