The Franklin & Marshall women's soccer squad, known as the Diplomats, will kick off the 2026 campaign on September 1 when they welcome Elizabethtown College to Tylus Field, eager to revive the momentum that carried them to the brink of the NCAA Tournament last year.
Ambitions of a Return
After a 2025 season that delivered an 11‑5‑4 record and a fifth straight appearance in the Centennial Conference Tournament, the team is targeting a deeper run in the national postseason, a goal that has eluded them since 2023.
Head coach details have not been disclosed, but the staff has crafted a schedule that balances seven home contests with nine road trips, beginning with a non‑conference showdown against York (Pa.) on September 9 before the conference slate begins.
The roster reflects a blend of experience and youthful energy, featuring five seniors, eight juniors, eight sophomores and nine freshmen, for a total of 30 athletes ready to contribute from the first whistle.
Among the returning standouts, senior forward Ellison Errington leads the attack with eight goals, including three game‑winners and two braces, earning a spot on the All‑Centennial Conference Second Team, while junior midfielder Colleen Ferrarese contributed ten assists, four of which proved decisive, securing her a place on the All‑Centennial Conference Third Team for the second consecutive year.
Sophomore forward Emerson McDonald capped the season with a career‑high ten goals and 23 points, earning recognition on both the United Soccer Coaches All‑Region V Second Team and the All‑Centennial Conference First Team.
The coaching staff has positioned the Diplomats fourth in the Centennial Conference Coaches Preseason Poll with 75 points, trailing only the defending champions Johns Hopkins and Swarthmore, a placement that underscores both respect for their recent achievements and the competitive nature of the league.
Looking ahead, the Centennial Conference Tournament is slated for early November, after which the NCAA Tournament will commence with its first round on November 14, culminating in the Final Four in Columbus, Ohio, on December 3 and the championship game on December 6.