EDISON, NJ (August 12, 2026) – The 2026 women’s soccer season officially opens Wednesday, marking the start of the fall season under the Metro Conference banner. Seven of the conference’s 13 institutions will take the pitch on opening day, with all 13 teams set to begin their seasons throughout the opening weekend.
The defending champion, Sacred Heart University, will open its title defense at home, hosting Nutmeg State foe Central Connecticut State University at 7 PM in Fairfield, CT. Sacred Heart will be the lone conference institution to host a match on opening day, as six additional Metro teams will begin their seasons on the road.
Siena University will open its season against Boston College at 4 PM, followed by three matchups at 6 PM, as Quinnipiac University takes on the College of the Holy Cross, Manhattan University travels to Monmouth University, and Merrimack College faces the University of Vermont. At 7 PM, preseason favorite Fairfield University will take on the University of North Carolina, while Niagara University heads to the University at Buffalo to close out the opening day slate.
Action continues throughout the opening weekend, with four matchups scheduled for Thursday, August 13, before a full slate of games on Sunday, August 16. Sunday’s action begins at noon, with the final matchup set to kickoff at 7 PM.
2026 Metro Women’s Soccer Opening Week Game Schedule
| Date |
Matchup |
Time |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
Siena at Boston College |
4:00 PM |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
Quinnipiac at Holy Cross |
6:00 PM |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
Manhattan at Monmouth |
6:00 PM |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
Merrimack at Vermont |
6:00 PM |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
Fairfield at North Carolina |
7:00 PM |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
Sacred Heart vs. Central Connecticut |
7:00 PM |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
Niagara at Buffalo |
7:00 PM |
| Thursday, August 13 |
Canisius vs. Le Moyne |
12:00 PM |
| Thursday, August 13 |
Iona vs. LIU |
1:00 PM |
| Thursday, August 13 |
Rider at Wagner |
7:00 PM |
| Thursday, August 13 |
Mount St. Mary’s at UMBC |
7:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Manhattan at LIU |
12:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Sacred Heart at Vermont |
12:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Saint Peter’s at St. Bonaventure |
1:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Iona at Le Moyne |
1:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Quinnipiac at North Carolina |
1:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Merrimack vs. Northeastern |
1:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Rider at NJIT |
1:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Siena vs. New Hampshire |
1:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Marist at Binghamton |
1:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Mount St. Mary’s vs. Towson |
6:00 PM |
| Sunday, August 16 |
Fairfield at UMass Lowell |
7:00 PM |
The 2026 Metro Women's Soccer Championship is a six-team, single-elimination tournament scheduled for November 8–15. Each match will be hosted by the higher seed, with teams reseeded following each round of the championship. The tournament begins with the first round on Sunday, November 8, followed by the semifinals on Thursday, November 12. The championship concludes with the title match on Sunday, November 15. For more information regarding the 2026 Metro Women’s Soccer Championship, please visit
here.