CNE CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | CNE WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET
BEVERLY, Mass. – After a year hiatus, Suffolk women's soccer will be featured in the Conference of New England (CNE) Tournament as the Rams secured the sixth seed, the league office announced following the conclusion of the regular-season conference play late Wednesday evening.
The Rams wrapped up conference competition with a 4-3-3 league ledger, good for 15 points, which put the blue-and-gold in the sixth and final spot in the CNE Tourney.
As the sixth seed, Suffolk will take its talents to Providence, Rhode Island, Saturday, Nov. 1 for the first round outing at third seed Johnson & Wales. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.
Suffolk will make its third trip to the CNE postseason, first since 2023. It marks the second postseason push in the Ellie McDougall's era and 11th overall conference tournament run in the squad's 19-year history.
The Rams enter the CNE field as the sixth seed for the first time. It is the second time in Suffolk's history it will compete in a league's postseason as the sixth seed, first since 2013 when the blue-and-gold competed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament. Suffolk is 0-1-0 as the sixth seed in conference postseason play.
Suffolk has compiled a 4-6-0 in the league's first round (3-5 GNAC / 1-1 CNE) in its 10 appearances and has advanced to the semis four times with the last coming in 2023.
To make it to the CNE semifinals for the second time in program history, first since 2023, Suffolk will have to defeat JWU, who went 6-2-2 versus conference counterparts and 7-7-3 overall.
In the regular season, the Rams and Wildcats battled to a scoreless draw in Eastie Oct. 21. Suffolk held a slim edge in opportunities in that outing just over a week ago as it outshot JWU, 10-9, including a 6-3 edge in attempts on target.
Saturday's showdown will be the first-ever CNE postseason battle between Suffolk and Johnson & Wales. The Rams and Wildcats have tangled in a conference postseason outing before, however, the 2016 GNAC Quarterfinals. As the seventh seed, the blue-and-gold upset second seed JWU, 2-1, in the only conference tournament tilt in the all-time series, which Suffolk trails 5-10-1 overall.
The victor of Saturday's showdown secures its spot in the league's semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 5 and will face second seed Endicott at 7:00 p.m.
Fourth seed University of New England and fifth seed Roger Williams are featured in the other first round matchup with top-seeded Hartford awaiting the winner.
The 2025 CNE Champion will be crown Saturday, Nov. 8 on the campus of the highest remaining seed.
2025 CNE WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
First Round – Saturday, Nov. 1
Game 1: No. 5 Roger Williams at No. 4 University of New England – 6:00 p.m.
Game 2: No. 6 Suffolk at No. 3 Johnson & Wales – 7:00 p.m.
Semifinals – Wednesday, Nov. 5
Game 3: Game 1 Winner at No. 1 Hartford – 5:00 p.m.
Game 4: Game 2 Winner at No. 2 Endicott – 7:00 p.m.
Championship – Saturday, Nov. 8
Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner – Hosted by Highest Remaining Seed