Division III Soccer News Roundup – 31 July 2026
Published for D3Soccer.Fans – Your source for NCAA Division III men’s and women’s soccer news, recruiting, coaching moves, and schedules.
A quiet end to July in the DIII soccer world. Fresh publications specifically dated July 31, 2026, were essentially nonexistent as programs wrap up summer recruiting, finalize fall logistics, and wait for preseason rankings and camps. Activity from the prior 24–48 hours centered on one notable coaching hire (from July 30) plus carryover schedule releases. No new player commitment announcements surfaced. Preseason United Soccer Coaches polls have not yet been released.
Coaching Changes
Women’s Focus
- Babson College (NEWMAC) – Kerry Baldwin Named Head Women’s Soccer Coach
- Babson hired Kerry Baldwin as its sixth head women’s soccer coach (fourth since 1984), succeeding Nellie Pineault (elevated to associate AD for community impact). Baldwin most recently spent four seasons as operations coordinator for Harvard women’s soccer (team culture, player care, nutrition, sports psychology, logistics). She previously served as Harvard assistant (two Ivy titles, NCAA appearances), Brooks School assistant AD/girls soccer coach, Brandeis assistant and associate head coach (NCAA runs, ECAC titles), and St. Bonaventure assistant. A former Massachusetts Player of the Year and All-American who played at Providence and St. Bonaventure. Strong endorsements from Harvard’s Chris Hamblin, St. Bonaventure’s Ray Leone, and others. Full release
No other Division III men’s or women’s head coaching hires, promotions, or interim appointments published on July 30–31 were identified among the tracked programs.
Schedule Announcements
Women’s Focus (primarily July 28–29 releases still circulating)
- Salisbury University (C2C) – Women’s Soccer 2026 Schedule
- 18-match slate (nine home at Gerry DiBartolo Sea Gull Soccer Complex). Opens with road trip (Washington (Md.) Sept. 1, then Seahawk Classic vs. McDaniel and Randolph-Macon). Home debut hosts Salisbury University Classic / Karnival Kickoff vs. Lynchburg (Sept. 12) and John Carroll (Sept. 13). Additional non-conference and C2C games; regular-season finale Oct. 31 at Christopher Newport; C2C Tournament at CNU. Release | Schedule
- Clark University (NEWMAC) – Women’s Soccer 2026 Schedule
- 17 games (9 home, 8 away) announced by coach Brienne Smith. Release
- Lewis & Clark College (NWC) – Women’s Soccer 2026 Schedule
- 22 total contests (19 regular-season + preseason), 11 home at Griswold Stadium, full double round-robin NWC slate. Release
Men’s Focus (primarily July 28 releases)
- Hunter College (CUNYAC) – Men’s Soccer Announces 2026 Schedule
- 17-game regular season under second-year coach Evan Reifsnyder (returns 17 players from 5-7-4 / 2-2-3 CUNYAC squad). Opens with five road games (NYU Sept. 2, Merchant Marine, Montclair State, Maritime, TCNJ). CUNYAC starts Sept. 23 vs. John Jay; wraps Oct. 21 vs. Medgar Evers (Senior Day). Release
- New England College (GNAC) – Men’s Soccer Finalizes 2026 Schedule
- Full slate including preseason scrimmages; opener Sept. 1 at Plymouth State. Release
- VTSU Lyndon (NAC) – Men’s Soccer 2026 Schedule
- 5-game regular season (opens Sept. 1 at Paul Smith’s; 7 NAC games). Release
Player Commitments
Bourke set for soccer action, nursing courses at St. Olaf College – Blakeley Bourke’s mind has been filled with thoughts of soccer and nursing these days. Those are two of the main elements that await the Mercer Island resident at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, this fall.
d3boards.com Updates (Last 24 Hours)
- Men’s soccer board (1522.0)
- No new posts, threads, or visible activity. Long-running offseason threads (schedules, coaching carousel, recruiting, national perspective) remain but showed no fresh replies.
- Women’s soccer board (1523.0)
- No new posts or activity. Most recent identifiable older activity dates to late 2024; no engagement in the reviewed period.
Overall silent boards consistent with the midsummer lull.
d3ticker.com
No relevant Division III soccer news items, headlines, or updates located in the current scan.
Top 5 Rankings (Most Recent United Soccer Coaches / NCAA DIII Polls)
Preseason 2026 polls have not been released (typical Tuesday cadence; final 2025 polls from Dec. 9, 2025, remain the latest national rankings).
Men’s Top 5 (final 2025)
- Tufts University (20-1-3)
- Trinity University (Texas) (20-2-1)
- St. Olaf College (20-3-3)
- Emory University (17-2-3)
- Bowdoin College (12-4-4)
Women’s Top 5 (final 2025)
- Washington University (Mo.) (21-0-3)
- Emory University (21-2-1)
- University of Chicago (16-2-4)
- Tufts University (18-2-3)
- Messiah University (22-3-0)
One Non-D3 Soccer Item of Interest
Lamine Yamal’s summer body and performance transformation continues to draw attention across European soccer coverage and social media. The young Barcelona and Spain star (still only 18) has posted noticeable gains in muscle, vertical leap, sprint speed, and overall physicality after a demanding period that included World Cup involvement, with observers calling the changes “insane” and noting improved acceleration metrics among the squad’s best. It’s a reminder of how elite young talents refine their tools in the offseason.
Slow news day as expected this deep into the offseason. Schedules continue to drip out, one high-profile NEWMAC coaching hire landed yesterday, and the boards are quiet. Check back tomorrow—preseason rankings and more schedule drops should accelerate soon. #WhyD3 #D3Soccer