D3 Grand Prix 2026: Tournament Talk (Women’s Div.)

Carleton Eclipse swept the D-III gauntlet, while Whitman established themselves as the best of the northwest

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The West Coast’s premier D-III tournament finished with *rechecks score reporter* two D-I teams finishing first and second? I guess it truly is a D-I world, we all just live in it. Overall the tournament was a great success for fans of the People’s Division, with universe point games captured on the livestream, some strong early season connectivity for the algorithm nerds in the room1, and even potential semifinals matchups.

 

Carleton and Whitman Lead D-III

Whitman’s Tatum Huegel at the 2025 D-III College Championships. Photo: Sam Hotaling – UltiPhotos.com

Finishing the weekend with 4-2 records were #11 Carleton Eclipse and #5 Whitman Sweets. Carleton’s 12-8 win over Whitman gives them the edge this time, but Whitman’s huck-happy offense was consistently flashing potential. Maddy Brown and Pilar Andruet were some of the top contributors for Eclipse, from getting open with ease to stepping up with highlight plays. With Carleton’s two losses coming universe point2, Eclipse are set to have another strong season. While the top-end talent was there all weekend for Carleton, it was the constant sideline energy and depth that allowed the Northfield program to finish the weekend above the rest of the D-III competition while also punching up against the D-I teams.

Whitman’s “shoot first and ask questions later” offense showed some cracks throughout the weekend3, but when it was there, it was there. Gabbie Campbell, Julia Hanson, and Kate Campbell were all consistently putting up incredible flick hucks that stretched the field and forced defenses to give up more unders. Despite the four-goal loss to Carleton, the Sweets stayed in it until the very end, and with a little more accuracy while shooting (or a few less drops on open hucks), Whitman will finish putting together what could be the most dangerous offense in the nation.

 

Across the Field

Colorado College’s Zoe Posner kickspikes the disc at the 2024 D-III College Championships. Photo: Rudy Desort – UltiPhotos

All aboard the #16 Colorado College Zenith hype train! Kelsey Viadro is back conducting an electric offense that consistently found their flow. Cassidy Recker, Kate Bicks, Evie Wagner, and Zoe Posner were all in form this weekend.4 But while the team played well with many highlight plays and players, Zenith ended Saturday with three losses, two on universe and an 11-6 loss to Oregon State. While the end of the season will need Colorado College to close out some of these games, the strong outings against tough opponents shows how threatening Zenith can be if they can get back in the dance. The consistent pressure they were able to provide to tournament winner British Columbia B and Nationals bracket teams in Lewis & Clark Whitman shows that Colorado College can compete at the highest level, but they will have to step up in the regular season to help secure a second bid, or step up at regionals and take care of business then.

Lewis & Clark Artemis and #17 Portland UPRoar had their ups and downs this weekend. Their five combined wins all came from sub .500 teams. Despite this, both combined star talent with energetic sidelines/depth and patient coaching to walk away with plenty of potential ready to be unleashed. Whether it was Anika Alschuler or Izzy Quattrucci from Lewis & Clark, or Hadyen Ashley and Annalise Korch from Portland, both teams flashed moments of brilliance with solid handlers, clean(ish) offensive systems, and defensive sets that forced teams to earn it. Particularly excellent highlights were Artemis’ multiple redzone stands against Colorado College on universe point, and Portland showing great patience while facing zone defenses. Oregonians can look forward to their confregional showdown, which could very well be a Sunday game-to-go duel.

#21 Puget Sound Clearcut walked away with one non-forfeit win on the weekend, on universe point over Colorado College. Not the result Clearcut fans may have wanted, but forcing universe point against Lewis & Clark shows potential for a high ceiling; it’s just a question of if they have enough to steal a bid come regionals. The zone-heavy squad gave Hayes Freeman and Claire Bargman plenty of offensive possessions, while also giving opposing O- and D-lines plenty of fits. But an overall lack of offensive consistency shows how much work still needs to be done.

Meanwhile, perennial attendees Seattle Throbots’ 10-strong roster did what they could on Saturday, but ended up forfeiting all of their Sunday games.

 

Carleton’s Maddy Brown at the 2025 D-III College Championships. Photo: Sam Hotaling – UltiPhotos.com

D-III Grand Prix First Team

  • Maddy Brown (Carleton)
  • Pilar Andruet (Carleton)
  • Kelsey Viadro (Colorado College)
  • Izzy Quattrucci (Lewis & Clark)
  • Hayden Ashley (Portland)
  • Gabbie Campbell (Whitman)
  • Kate Campbell (Whitman)

 

Lewis & Clark’s Rosa Rudolph on the line at the 2025 D-III College Championships. Photo: Sam Hotaling – UltiPhotos.com

D-III Grand Prix Second Team

  • Lucy Zhang (Carleton)
  • Sadie Begtrup (Carleton)
  • Zoe Posner (Colorado College)
  • Rosa Rudolph (Lewis & Clark)
  • Annalise Korch (Portland)
  • Allee Garver (Whitman)
  • Hayes Freeman (Puget Sound)

 

Tournament Livestream Highlights

 

All D-I Grand Prix

  • Sylvi Barnes (Oregon State)
  • Charlotte Robison (Oregon State)
  • Ava Peterson (Oregon State)
  • Lisa Liu (British Columbia B)
  • Victoria Li (British Columbia B)
  • Stephanie Dai (British Columbia B)
  • Kieran Ferguson (British Columbia B)

 


  1. It’s me, I’m the algorithm nerd in the room 

  2. Technically their Oregon State loss was hard capped, the game ended with an Eclipse goal 

  3. And may not prove viable at a Nationals tournament less than 20 minutes away from Lake Michigan 

  4. Seriously, I could list the entire roster and find something exciting to point out 

  1. TJ Lee
    TJ Lee

    TJ Lee is a D-III Women's writer from Salem, Oregon. He began playing in 2021, and has won two D-III national titles with Oklahoma Christian University. He is currently playing for the OC Eagles while pursuing his masters. You can reach out to him via email ([email protected])

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