Four-time defending UCHC Champion Nazareth University, four-time UCHC Champion Elmira College and Utica University are represented in the 2025-26 Women's USCHO.com Preseason Division III national poll, released on Oct. 13, 2025. Nazareth is ranked 10th, Elmira is 13th and Utica is receiving votes in the national poll.

Nazareth won the UCHC Championship for the fourth straight season in 2024-25. The Golden Flyers finished 21-7-1 last season and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Nazareth won its first NCAA Tournament game in program history, defeating Endicott College, 4-2 in the opening round.

Elmira, who won the first four UCHC Women's Hockey Championships, returns to the league after spending the last four seasons in the New England Hockey Conference. The Soaring Eagles finished 21-8-1 last season and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Elmira won the NEHC title for the third time in four seasons and defeated SUNY Plattsburgh in the NCAA Tournament in 2024-25. The Soaring Eagles advanced to the NCAA Championship game in 2023-24 and have won three NCAA Division III Championships (2001-02, 2002-03, 2012-13).

Utica is receiving three votes in the USCHO.com preseason poll. The Pioneers advanced to the UCHC Championship game for the third straight season in 2024-25. Utica finished 19-8-0 last season and won three games against nationally-ranked opponents last season. 

Regular season play for the 2025-26 season begins on Oct. 31. League play begins the weekend of Nov. 14-15. The 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Championship is set to take place March 27-29.

ABOUT THE UNITED COLLEGIATE HOCKEY CONFERENCE
The United Collegiate Hockey Conference provides a competitive environment and structure for NCAA Division III men's and women's ice hockey in the Eastern United States. The UCHC will enter its ninth season in 2025-26 with original member Elmira College returning, along with newcomers Albertus Magnus College, Hilbert College, and St. John Fisher University joining second-year members SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo, in addition to founding members Chatham University, Manhattanville University, Nazareth University and Utica University. For more on the UCHC, visit the league's homepage at http://www.theuchc.com/.

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