No. 10 Women's Soccer Ready for 2026

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — After reaching the NESCAC Championship game and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament during the 2025 season, the 10th-ranked Williams College women's soccer team has high expectations going into the 2026 season.

The Ephs won NCAA Championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018, while hoisting the NESCAC Title in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017. The eight conference titles are tied for the most among all NESCAC institutions.

Williams begins its 2026 journey on Saturday, Sept. 5, with a 10 a.m. NESCAC game against Bates on Cole Field. Other noteworthy matchups include when the Ephs host Amherst on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. and Tufts on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 12:30 p.m. The unit travels to Little Three-rival Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 17, for a noon start in Middletown, Connecticut.

The top-eight teams qualify for the 2026 NESCAC Tournament, with the higher seeds hosting quarterfinal-round action on Oct. 31. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinal and final rounds on Nov. 7-8.

"We are excited to be back on Cole and get started with the 2026 season," said seventh-year head coach Sarah Raymond. "We return a large number of experienced student-athletes, so we are looking to pick up where we left off. With the addition of eight talented incomers, we feel good about what we can achieve this year. With a game much earlier than usual, we are looking to our experience to lead us off in positive ways. We have a tremendous group of individuals who support and inspire each other to be their best selves, so being around them is a joy."

During the 2025 season, the Ephs finished with a 13-2-5 overall record and a 7-1-2 mark in the NESCAC, earning the second seed in the conference tournament. Williams defeated four ranked NESCAC opponents, including then-No. 4 Amherst, 1-0, on Sept. 13, No. 20 Wesleyan, 1-0, on Oct. 11, No. 10 Middlebury, 1-0, on Oct. 28 and No. 12 Middlebury, 2-1, on Nov. 8. The Ephs led the NESCAC in goals against (10) and goals-against average (0.50), while shutting out 12-of-20 opponents.

Junior Elizabeth Stophel was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-American Fourth Team, while also earning All-Region I and NESCAC All-Conference First Team laurels. Sophomores Maya Lloyd and Lucy Carrel were named to the All-Region I and All-NESCAC Second Teams, while Lloyd was also named the conference's Rookie of the Year.

"I am excited for the upcoming season," said Lloyd. "The team is strong, and the incoming first years and transfer student have already added to the team. We had a great season last fall, and I am looking forward to building off our success and continuing to improve as a team this season."

Stophel (6 goals, 9 assists, 21 points, 3 game-winners), Lloyd (9-3-21-5), Carrel (6-0-12-1) and senior captain Bria Abbiati (3-4-10-2) led the way from an offensive perspective in 2025. Stophel and Lloyd were tied for first in the NESCAC in assists and game-winning tallies, respectively.

During the five competitive years that Raymond has been at the helm of the program from 2021-25, the Ephs have compiled an overall record of 48-24-17 and a 28-14-8 mark in the NESCAC. The Ephs advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2022, while reaching the second round in 2023 and 2025.

"I am excited for our season," said Stophel. "Everyone put in work in the offseason and it is already showing up, so I cannot wait to see how it will continue to pay off as we get deeper into the season. It has been nice to get to know the first years and build deeper relationships with everyone on the team, especially because I think a major contributor to our program's success is our care for each other on and off the field. I am feeling enthusiastic about this season, and cannot wait to see the results of our hard work and love for one another."