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ECAC monthly recap: October 2026
With all 12 teams finally taking the ice, October was a busy, slightly chaotic month in the ECAC.
From the editor
Women's Sports Now publishes original reporting and analysis — power rankings, profiles, a college column, and a Monday weekend recap — alongside the day's headlines, which are aggregated and always link to the original outlet. Newest original: Nelly Korda Is One Point from the Hall of Fame (November 6, 2026), one of 21 published here so far.
Featured
Nelly Korda Is One Point from the Hall of Fame
Four wins, two majors and a second Player of the Year award in 2026 — and the Bradenton star is one win from the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Utah Royals upset San Diego Wave, advance to semifinals
Palacios scores lone goal, goalkeeper McGlynn makes key saves
Czechia spoils Austria’s debut at top division
Recapping all the action at day one of Women's Worlds, including Czechia's victory over Austria to open the tournament.
NWSL Playoff Power Rankings: 2026 Odds, Quarterfinal Bracket & Title Favorites
Title odds leaders San Diego, Gotham, and Washington top JWS’s 2026 NWSL Playoffs power rankings, as the quarterfinal bracket gets underway.
Latest Originals
NWSL Power Rankings: Gotham Lift a First Shield as the Playoffs Begin
Gotham lifted a first Shield with a 2-0 win over Utah, Seattle snatched the last playoff place, and Ashley Sanchez won the Golden Boot with 20 goals — here is where all sixteen teams stand as the playoffs begin.
Opening Week: Paris Scares, JuJu's Return, and Oklahoma's Freshman Statement
South Carolina survived a 28-point scare in Paris, JuJu Watkins is back, and a freshman just delivered the season's first upset — opening week said more in three days than October's polls said in a month.
WTA Finals Draw Reaction: Rybakina and Gauff in One Group, Sabalenka and Andreeva in the Other
The draw split the two biggest storylines in two: Rybakina, Gauff, Pegula and Noskova in Group 1, Sabalenka, Andreeva, Svitolina and Muchova in Group 2 — with a Gauff–Sabalenka meeting now possible only in the semifinals or final.
The Weekend That Was: October 30–November 1
Golden State win a first WNBA title in a historic Game 7, Gotham take a first NWSL Shield on Decision Day, and Notre Dame open the college season with a win in Rome.
Gabby Williams' 30 Powers Valkyries to First WNBA Title in Historic Game 7
Golden State rallied from a halftime deficit behind Gabby Williams' 28 second-half points to beat Atlanta 68–63 and win the franchise's first championship in its second season.
TOTO Japan Classic | Leaderboard | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association - LPGA
TOTO Japan Classic | Leaderboard | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association LPGA
Durisic Advances to LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifier - Iowa State Athletics
Durisic Advances to LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifier Iowa State Athletics
Iowa Women's Basketball vs. UConn Tip Time, TV Channel, Prediction - Yahoo Sports
Iowa Women's Basketball vs. UConn Tip Time, TV Channel, Prediction Yahoo Sports
Georgia women’s ice hockey: More than just a game - The Red & Black
Georgia women’s ice hockey: More than just a game The Red & Black
Women's Tennis Association - Official Website - WTA Tennis
Women's Tennis Association - Official Website WTA Tennis
Soccer to open UAC Championship at Central Arkansas - University of North Alabama Athletics
Soccer to open UAC Championship at Central Arkansas University of North Alabama Athletics
Your NWSL playoff rooting guide, plus the ultimate college football slate - The New York Times
Your NWSL playoff rooting guide, plus the ultimate college football slate The New York Times
'We're all in this together': Lu Sweet focuses on family, women's sports in retirement - WyomingNews.com
'We're all in this together': Lu Sweet focuses on family, women's sports in retirement WyomingNews.com
Three takeaways from Royals upset over Wave in NWSL playoff opener
Goals change games, McGlynn's best-ever performance and another disappointing ending for San Diego
Women's Tennis Association - Official Website - WTA Tennis
Women's Tennis Association - Official Website WTA Tennis
Women's Tennis Association - Official Website - WTA Tennis
Women's Tennis Association - Official Website WTA Tennis
PWHL Detroit’s guide to the World Championship
Eight PWHL players represent their countries at the World Championship.
FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells 2026 Overview | WTA Official - WTA Tennis
FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells 2026 Overview | WTA Official WTA Tennis
Sabalenka, Gauff, Pegula share what winning WTA Finals would mean to them - The Desert Sun
Sabalenka, Gauff, Pegula share what winning WTA Finals would mean to them The Desert Sun
See who Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff put on their tennis Mount Rushmore - The Desert Sun
See who Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff put on their tennis Mount Rushmore The Desert Sun
Kiyomi McMiller Scores Career-High 42 Points as Florida Blanks UCF
Kiyomi McMiller scored a career-high 42 points as Florida women’s basketball routed UCF 95-65 in the NCAA rivals’ in-state showdown.
Sorana Cîrstea’s Career Likely Ends in 2026 Hong Kong Open Upset
Alexandra Shubladze scored a win over Sorana Cîrstea at the 2026 Hong Kong Open, taking a WTA quarterfinal that will likely be her last.
Sienna Betts Posts Career-Best 17 Points as UCLA Cruises Past UC Irvine
Sienna Betts scored a career-high 17 points as UCLA women’s basketball routed UC Irvine 78-42 in Thursday's NCAA basketball slate.
NWSL facing venue conflicts ahead of playoffs
The NWSL semifinals could see a change in venue for the top three seeded teams.
2026 CME Group Tour Championship Who to Watch; What to Do; How to Attend - LPGA
2026 CME Group Tour Championship Who to Watch; What to Do; How to Attend LPGA
Volleyball, hockey, and the Finals MVP: Women’s sports take over the Bay Area this winter - The San Francisco Standard
Volleyball, hockey, and the Finals MVP: Women’s sports take over the Bay Area this winter The San Francisco Standard
Lindsay Pieper examines persistent gender inequities in the Olympics and Paralympics - Elon University
Lindsay Pieper examines persistent gender inequities in the Olympics and Paralympics Elon University
Cambridge Sisters Lift Ohio State Over Central Michigan
Jaloni Cambridge scored 23 points as Ohio State women’s basketball routed Central Michigan 103-36 in Thursday night's NCAA action.
Lady Vols Basketball Grinds Out 98-60 Road Win Over Coppin State
Kaylene Smikle helped the Lady Vols ground out a 98-60 NCAA basketball win in Thursday's Tennessee vs Coppin State showdown in Baltimore.
Iowa Blows Out Eastern Illinois Behind McKenna Woliczko - Just Women's Sports
Iowa Blows Out Eastern Illinois Behind McKenna Woliczko Just Women's Sports
Iowa Blows Out Eastern Illinois Behind McKenna Woliczko
McKenna Woliczko scored 22 in Thursday's Iowa vs Eastern Illinois clash, earning the Hawkeyes a second straight NCAA women's basketball win.
LSU Tops Texas Southern in NCAA Women’s Basketball’s Largest-Ever DI Win
Kim Mulkey's Tigers set a new DI NCAA women's basketball record, pulling off a 131-22 rout in Thursday's LSU vs Texas Southern blowout.
WTA Finals Stars Strike a Pose in Fashion-Forward Photo Shoot at Indian Wells - Tennis Now
WTA Finals Stars Strike a Pose in Fashion-Forward Photo Shoot at Indian Wells Tennis Now
Diana Taurasi Headlines Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027
Diana Taurasi headlines the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2027, joined by Sandy Brondello, Mike Thibault, and three trailblazers.
The IX Sports Podcast Hockey Edition: Women’s Hockey World Championship preview
Host Maya Smith walks listeners through the IIHF Women's World Championship contenders before an interview with Madison Samoskevich of the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
What to expect at the IIHF Women's World Championship - The IX Sports
What to expect at the IIHF Women's World Championship The IX Sports
Elena Rybakina Leads Tennis’s Elite Into 2026 WTA Finals at Indian Wells
The 2026 WTA Finals kick off Sunday at Indian Wells, as No. 1 Elena Rybakina defends her 2025 title against an elite eight-player field.
Angel City is peaking at the perfect time
Angel City finished the regular season with 10 games unbeaten, but 'that doesn’t mean anything in the playoffs now,' said Sveindís Jónsdóttir
UCLA still searching for identity despite early wins
The Bruins still have chemistry to iron out
Alexis Ohanian reveals how Tiger Woods call led him to WTGL, investing in women’s golf - Golfweek
Alexis Ohanian reveals how Tiger Woods call led him to WTGL, investing in women’s golf Golfweek
The World’s Best Tennis Players on Winning, Losing, Living, and Dreaming - Vogue
The World’s Best Tennis Players on Winning, Losing, Living, and Dreaming Vogue
“No One Hates Women’s Tennis More than WTA”: Fans Angry As Tour Admits Miscommunication Leading To Jessica Pegula-Mirra Andreeva Drama - Yahoo Sports
“No One Hates Women’s Tennis More than WTA”: Fans Angry As Tour Admits Miscommunication Leading To Jessica Pegula-Mirra Andreeva Drama Yahoo Sports
The IX Sports Podcast: What the End of Chris DeMarco Experiment Says About the WNBA
What's next for the New York Liberty following the ouster of Chris DeMarco?
Top Women’s Tennis Stars Arrive in Indian Wells for WTA Finals - NBC Palm Springs
Top Women’s Tennis Stars Arrive in Indian Wells for WTA Finals NBC Palm Springs
Voters approve measures barring transgender athletes from women’s sports - Politico
Voters approve measures barring transgender athletes from women’s sports Politico MATT CALKINS: After years of threats and intimidation, the bullies in the women's sports debate finally lost Fox News Voters in four states approve…
How Jimmy Coenraets adjusted his coaching to lead Utah to historic playoff berth
"If having fun, having trust in each other and the plan has led us to reaching the playoffs, let’s keep doing that"
Continuity has bred success for Wave back line
Back four of Kristen McNabb, Kennedy Wesley, Mimi Van Zanten and Perle Morroni ready for playoffs
Women’s Sports Shine in the 2026 Fall Semester - gopsusports.com
Women’s Sports Shine in the 2026 Fall Semester gopsusports.com
Hockey East monthly recap: October 2026
With the season in full swing, October leaves us with plenty to talk about when it comes to the Hockey East programs.
WTGL’s inaugural season debuts on ESPN as part of ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’ on Nov. 8 - ESPN Press Room
WTGL’s inaugural season debuts on ESPN as part of ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’ on Nov. 8 ESPN Press Room
PWHL announces rule changes, officiating team
With one month to go before the season begins, the PWHL has announced several rulebook updates, including mandatory neck protection.
JACKSON THOMPSON: Spanberger's office refuses to hand over emails on decision to drop women's sports petition - Fox News
JACKSON THOMPSON: Spanberger's office refuses to hand over emails on decision to drop women's sports petition Fox News
2026 Worlds preview: Canada
Canada comes into the 2026 World Championship hoping its young, fresh roster can get the country back on top after settling for silver at the Olympics.
From center court to culture: 2026 FAGE WTA Finals takes the ultimate stage - WTA Tennis
From center court to culture: 2026 FAGE WTA Finals takes the ultimate stage WTA Tennis
WTA Finals 2026: Draw, format and schedule as world No. 1 Elena Rybakina bids to defend title - The Athletic - The New York Times
WTA Finals 2026: Draw, format and schedule as world No. 1 Elena Rybakina bids to defend title - The Athletic The New York Times
WTA Finals: The best women’s tennis players of the year head to Indian Wells - The New York Times
WTA Finals: The best women’s tennis players of the year head to Indian Wells The New York Times
Valkyries parade historic WNBA title through ‘global capital of women’s sports’ - The New York Times
Valkyries parade historic WNBA title through ‘global capital of women’s sports’ The New York Times
NWSL Playoffs: Tactical breakdowns and predictions
The National Women’s Soccer League playoffs are upon us, with the San Diego Wave and Utah Royals kicking things off this Saturday. Only three times in the 12 previous full NWSL campaigns has the regular season Shield winner gone on to win…
The Eliminated: North Carolina Courage, Denver Summit
The NWSL's most decorated franchise and its newest expansion club came so close to playoff berths, and both fell just short.
Anatomy of a Goal: Angel City turns it over… and scores
In this Decision Day edition of Anatomy of a Goal, we’re taking a look at Angel City FC’s first of four scores in their 4-1 thrashing of the Boston Legacy. It was Nealy Martin’s first-ever National Women’s Soccer League goal that put the…
Field Breakdown: 2026 TOTO Japan Classic - LPGA
Field Breakdown: 2026 TOTO Japan Classic LPGA
NWSL stats and minutiae after Week 27
Here’s a look at some stats and minutiae following Week 27, a.k.a. the final week, of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season. We’ll keep evolving this space every week to try and keep you informed. Have an idea or an addition? Hit…
The Valkyries’ short, movie-like road to the 2026 Championship
The Golden State Valkyries are your 2026 WNBA Champions, and the journey to get here is about as absurd as a journey can be. On October 5, 2023, the WNBA made an exciting announcement: the Bay had been awarded an expansion team. The area…
Lauletta’s XI: Fishlock lives, Gotham celebrates, and early playoff kicks
Week 27 saw Gotham wrap up the Shield for the first time, the Reign slip into the playoffs to keep Jess Fishlock’s career going, and Ashley Sanchez fall short of the standalone goals record — and the playoffs. Here are 11 thoughts from the…
Does A Valkyries Title Negate The Need For A True No. 1?
Let’s play a game. I will present four statements. Three of them are undeniable basketball truths while one is a stretch. When you find it, the only prize here is that you will be credited for leading provocative conversations between the…
Run it Back: Tip Hayes’ journey from retirement to the Finals
Tiffany Hayes has been one of the most impressive players in the postseason so far, averaging 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 stocks off the bench for the Golden State Valkyries on their quest for a championship. The…
The Atlanta Dream’s 13-Year Road to Redemption
The Atlanta Dream remained undefeated through the first two rounds of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs, sweeping both the Washington Mystics and the New York Liberty. Now, while they’re closer than ever to finally lifting the trophy, they’re also…
2026 WNBA Playoffs Preview – Finals: Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream
In a postseason filled with unexpected results and historic performances, two teams are left standing with a WNBA title on the line: the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries and No. 4 Atlanta Dream. As a matter of fact, these two teams haven’t…
Overcoming the Obstacles
The Las Vegas Aces’ quest to successfully defend their title is not over, as they seek to win a fourth championship in a five-year span. However, they now find themselves in a massive do-or-die situation in their semifinal series. With…
Battle-Tested and Built For This: How DeWanna Bonner Elevates Atlanta On and Off The Court
From big buckets to a big voice, DeWanna Bonner is the Atlanta Dream’s X-factor in the chase for their first-ever WNBA title. The Dream have made the playoffs four years in a row, but they are currently matched up against the New York…
Gabby Williams: Do You Believe in Magic?
This has, without a doubt, been the best two week span of Gabby Williams’ WNBA career. In the Golden State Valkyries’ first five games of the 2026 playoffs, they went 4-1, eliminating the No. 7 Dallas Wings and snagging Games 1 and 2…
The Eighth Seed That Never Felt Like One: The Story of the New York Liberty
Despite having a roster filled with battle-tested, championship-proven star power, the New York Liberty were underdogs heading into the 2026 WNBA Playoffs. The Liberty entered the postseason as the No. 8 seed after finishing the year 26-18…
LPGA Tour Announces 2027 Schedule | News | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association - LPGA
LPGA Tour Announces 2027 Schedule | News | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association LPGA
2026 WNBA Playoffs Preview – Semifinals: Golden State Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces
In what could be considered one of the most anticipated matchups in the playoffs so far, the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries will face off against the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA semifinals after both teams survived the best-of-three…
China Open 2026: Dates, draws, prize money and everything you need to know - WTA Tennis
China Open 2026: Dates, draws, prize money and everything you need to know WTA Tennis
WTA announces new host for 2027-2029 WTA Finals - WTA Tennis
WTA announces new host for 2027-2029 WTA Finals WTA Tennis
Shiho Kuwaki Wins Maiden Major Title With Playoff Victory at 2026 AIG Women’s Open - LPGA
Shiho Kuwaki Wins Maiden Major Title With Playoff Victory at 2026 AIG Women’s Open LPGA
How to Watch 2026 AIG Women's Open - LPGA
How to Watch 2026 AIG Women's Open LPGA
Nanea Cup to Showcase Present and Future of Women’s Golf in Hawaii Beginning in 2027 - LPGA
Nanea Cup to Showcase Present and Future of Women’s Golf in Hawaii Beginning in 2027 LPGA
How to Watch the 2026 ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open - LPGA
How to Watch the 2026 ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open LPGA
How to Watch the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship - LPGA
How to Watch the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship LPGA