Taking a moment to highlight some of the undersung players whose consistent play allows the division's stars to shine as bright as they do
May 18, 2026 by Zack Davis in Recap
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WAUKEGAN, IL – In years past, the D-III women’s teams were defined by star players surrounded by mid to solid level players. Claire Babbott-Bryan more or less won Middlebury three championships before passing the torch to Keziah Wilde. Tulsa Douglas elevated Vortex to the championship in 2018 after missing Nationals entirely in 2016. Of course you know the stars, but it takes seven to make a line; these are the big-time plays from players that don’t have quite as long of a CV.
Julia Hanson (Whitman Sweets)
[Touch throw to Campbell to make it 11-11 1:41 mark semi]
If you didn’t know her before, you certainly do now. Any list trying to capture the talent from this tournament would be remiss to exclude Hanson, including mine from yesterday. Hanson is certainly in consideration for BPOTY, if not OPOTY after her performance today. The sophomore player is everything you want in an ultimate player, and you can see that here on this play against Wesleyan in the semifinal. A nice cut parallel to the goalline gets her so much space, and then she sends a delicate touch pass to Gabbie Campbell for the goal.
D-III College Championships 2026: X-Factors – The Secret Sauce in the Middle of Top Teams (Women’s Div.) is only available to Ultiworld Subscribers
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