8 Games to Watch This Weekend 

We’re at the point in the season where every weekend starts to mean a little bit more. Conference races are heating up, statement opportunities are everywhere, and teams are beginning to show whether their fast starts are for real or whether they still have another level to hit. 

Here’s a closer look at the games to watch this weekend.

Bates (6-2) vs. Williams (5-3)

A classic NESCAC battle taking place Saturday with Bates and Williams. Bates comes into the weekend at 6-2 and looking to stop the bleeding a bit after dropping two straight, first against Amherst in an 8-20 loss and then in a tight 12-13 loss to Williams. Before that stretch, Bates had built a strong résumé with wins over Union, Kean, Wesleyan, Emerson, Trinity, and Wheaton. 

Offensively, Bates will lean on Gray Doyle (27 points) and Riley McClure (25 points), two guys who have helped drive the offense all season long. If Bates is going to bounce back, those two likely need to set the tone early. In goal, Andrew Toland (95 saves, 58% save percentage) has been a major piece for the Bobcats and will once again have to be sharp in a game that figures to have no shortage of pressure possessions.

Williams enters at 5-3 and ready to keep the party going after a statement 14-10 win over Salisbury, the kind of result that can give a team a real jolt heading into the meat of the season. The Ephs have picked up wins over Union, Colby, Vassar, Connecticut College, and Salisbury, and they now have a chance to keep the momentum rolling in another big-time NESCAC matchup.

The offense is led by Will Doran (29 points), who has been the headliner for Williams, while Aidan Housenbold (18 CTs, 38 GBs, 7 points) has been one of the more impactful all-around players on this team. In goal, Charlie Medd (111 saves, 57% save percentage) gives Williams a reliable presence between the pipes and helps steady things in close games.

These two teams know how to play dramatic games. Last season, Bates edged Williams 11-10 in overtime, and this year they already met once in a game Williams won 13-12. That recent result should add a little extra juice to this one, especially with Bates looking for a measure of revenge and Williams trying to prove last weekend was no fluke.

DeeThreeLax Take
Bates is hungry to get back on track, and Williams is playing with a new level of confidence after knocking off Salisbury. With the way these teams have played recently, another one-goal game would not be surprising at all.

Mary Washington (5-4) vs. Kean (6-5)

Mary Washington comes into the weekend at 5-4 and is coming off a win over Marymount, now looking to grab its first CLC win of the season. The Eagles have shown they can beat quality teams, with wins over Shenandoah, Rhodes, Eastern, Hampden-Sydney, and Marymount. The record may not jump off the page compared to some others, but there is enough quality here to think Mary Washington can be dangerous.

On offense, Dave Votapek (24 points) and Tanner Boone (21 points) are the names to watch. Those two will be asked to create opportunities and keep the offense moving against a Kean team that can really pressure opponents. Defensively, Lucas Owens (14 CTs, 25 GBs, 1 point) and Jay Hooker (13 CTs, 16 GBs) have been key tone-setters and will likely have big roles if Mary Washington is going to slow the Cougars down.

Kean enters at 6-5 after a win over Maritime and will be trying to make it two in a row while also searching for its first CLC win after falling to Montclair State earlier this season. Kean’s wins have come over Eastern, Neumann, New Paltz, Roger Williams, US Merchant Marine, and Maritime, giving them a solid body of work heading into this matchup.

The big name here is Aarin Arbore (52 points), who has been a monster offensively and the clear focal point for the Kean attack. If he gets rolling, Kean can be very tough to contain. On the defensive side, Jake Gruzas (23 CTs, 23 GBs, 2 points) has been a major factor and one of the players capable of changing possessions in a hurry.

The last time these teams met was to close the regular season in 2025, and Kean came away with a 15-10 win.  Mary Washington a little extra motivation with a chance to flip the script this time around.

DeeThreeLax Take
Kean has the top-end offensive weapon in Arbore, but Mary Washington has enough balance to keep this interesting. If the Eagles can make this a four-quarter grind, they’re in it. If Kean gets out and starts scoring early, it could swing fast.

Penn College (9-2) vs. St. Mary’s (MD) (7-4)

Penn College comes in at 9-2 on a three-game win streak and fresh off a big win over Montclair State. The Wildcats have stacked up wins over Susquehanna, Juniata, Alfred, Misericordia, Shenandoah, North Central, Morrisville, Marywood, and Montclair State, and they look ready to go toe to toe with the premier team in the United East.

Penn College’s offense has been driven by a dangerous trio in Elliot Dotson (54 points), Owen Kupsey (41 points), and Aidan McFalls (36 points). That group has been a major reason this team has been able to put pressure on opponents all season long. They can score in bunches, and if the Wildcats are going to make a statement here, that trio will need to be at the center of it.

St. Mary’s (MD) enters at 7-4 riding a two-game win streak and looking for its first United East win of the season. The Seahawks have picked up wins over Elizabethtown, Cairn, Hampden-Sydney, Maritime, Oneonta, Eastern, and Southern Virginia. This team is legit  and they’ll come into this one ready to show why they have dominated the United East over the last few years since joining. 

The offense is led by Gavin McKay (51 points) and Declan Horton (38 points), while Joe Szymanski (22 CTs, 55 GBs, 1 point) gives them a huge presence on the defensive end. He’s the kind of player who can completely change the feel of a game with ground balls, takeaways, and hustle plays in the middle of the field.

These teams met in the 2025 United East Championship Game, and St. Mary’s left no doubt with a 21-8 win. 

DeeThreeLax Take
Penn College has the offensive firepower to make this much more competitive than last year’s title game, but St. Mary’s has already shown they know how to control this matchup when they’re playing well. This is a big game and important to tell us where teams may fall within the United East this season. 

SUNY Delhi (2-4) vs. Maine Maritime (4-3)

SUNY Delhi enters the weekend at 2-4 and coming off a win over Mt. St. Mary, looking to keep the momentum going. Their wins have come over Marywood and Mt. St. Mary, and while the record is still a work in progress, this is the kind of game where they can build confidence and try to put together back-to-back strong performances.

The Broncos will look to Jagger Beachak (22 points) to keep the offense moving, while Luke Tripp (10 CTs, 9 GBs)has been one of the defensive leaders helping this group stay competitive.

Maine Maritime comes in at 4-3 with wins over Gordon, Dean, Southern Maine, and St. Joseph’s of Maine. They’ve looked like the steadier team so far and will be trying to keep things rolling against a Delhi team that is still searching for consistency.

The offense is led by Trey Marcil (41 points), who has been the clear go-to option, while Matthew Villeneuve (13 CTs, 23 GBs, 1 point) gives Maine Maritime an impact player on the defensive end.

These two teams met last season in the NAC Championship where Maine Maritime took home the title with a 14-12 win. 

DeeThreeLax Take
Maine Maritime look like the more complete group right now, If Beachak gets into rhythm and Delhi can keep this game scrappy, it might stay interesting longer than expected.

Oberlin (6-3) vs. Ohio Wesleyan (3-4)

This is a sneaky good NCAC matchup. Oberlin comes in at 6-3 after a one-goal loss to Centre and will be looking to make a statement in conference play against Ohio Wesleyan. The Yeomen have already picked up wins over Ursinus, Westminster, Trine, Adrian, Albion, and DePauw, so there’s real substance behind this start.

Jacob Starcke (36 points) leads the offense, while Cooper Rand (13 CTs, 33 GBs, 3 points) and Colin Taylor (13 CTs, 30 GBs, 2 points) anchor the defense. Oberlin has shown it can do a little bit of everything so far this season. 

Ohio Wesleyan enters at 3-4, but the Battling Bishops are coming off a huge win over Denison to open NCAC play in 2026. Their wins have come over Adrian, Elmhurst, and Denison, and there is no doubt that result over Denison gave this group a jolt.

The offense is led by Henry Ross (28 points), Will Siegenthaler (22 points), and Wade Beckstrom (21 points). If Ohio Wesleyan gets all three of those guys going, they can be a real problem.

The last meeting came in the 2025 NCAC Tournament, and Ohio Wesleyan pulled out an 11-10 win. That adds another level to this game, because Oberlin now gets a shot at a little payback in what should be another tight conference battle.

DeeThreeLax Take
This is one of the better under-the-radar games of the weekend. Oberlin has been more consistent overall, but we know Ohio Wesleyan can play and has threats all over the field. This should be a good match up Saturday afternoon. 

Drew (4-3) vs. Goucher (3-6)

Drew comes into the weekend at 4-3 and riding a big statement win over Lycoming to open Landmark play. The Rangers have beaten Marywood, Emmanuel College, Neumann, and Lycoming, and they’ll look to keep building confidence here.

Joost van der Horst (24 points) leads the offense, while Josef Zengerle (14 CTs, 8 GBs, 1 point) has been a key piece on the defensive side. Drew may not always jump off the page statistically, but they’ve shown they can grind through games and find ways to win.

Goucher enters at 3-6 with wins over Marymount, Delaware Valley, and Pitt-Bradford. The record is not where they want it to be, but they do have two real offensive weapons in Jacob Morgan (50 points) and Karam Gianni (36 points). Those two are capable of making this game very uncomfortable for Drew if they get hot.

Drew won 13-11 in the 2025 meeting, and it was the kind of competitive game that stayed within reach throughout. 

DeeThreeLax Take
Goucher has enough offensive talent to make this interesting, but Drew has been steady and is ready to slow down Goucher any way possible on Saturday. This game should make for another great Landmark match up. 

Illinois Wesleyan (6-4) vs. Calvin (7-1)

Illinois Wesleyan enters at 6-4 with wins over Colorado College, DePauw, Benedictine, Lake Forest, Baldwin Wallace, and Wabash. The Titans have played a solid schedule and now get a chance to measure themselves against a Calvin team that has been rolling.

Illinois Wesleyan will look to Timothy McHugh (34 points) to keep the offense moving, while Billy McHugh (22 CTs, 20 GBs, 4 points) continues to be a massive presence defensively. This is a team that can score, but their defensive disruption could be just as important in a game like this.

Calvin comes in at 7-1 with wins over Capital, Illinois Tech, Milwaukee Engineering, Wooster, Carthage, St. Joseph of Maine, and North Central. They’ve put together a great strong start and has a great opportunity to keep it going with a statement win on Saturday. 

The key names here are Jordan Warners (31 points) and Drew Garrison (23 CTs, 42 GBs). Warners is the offensive spark, while Garrison gives Calvin a true impact player on the defensive end.

The last time these teams met, Illinois Wesleyan pulled out an 18-15 win in 2025. Expect this game to be another shootout as both teams will be ready to play at a high level this weekend. 

DeeThreeLax Take
This could be one of the more entertaining games on the board. Illinois Wesleyan already knows it can win this matchup, but Calvin comes in with a better record and plenty of confidence. This one could turn into a back-and-forth battle if both offenses settle in early.

Sewanee (6-4) vs. Colorado College (7-2)

Sewanee enters at 6-4 and looking to move to 3-0 in SAA play, which would be a major statement. The Tigers have picked up wins over Albion, Transylvania, Piedmont, DeSales, Centre, and Hendrix, and they’re starting to look like a team gaining traction at the right time.

Manoli Loupassi (26 points) leads the offense, while Beau Burnette (13 CTs, 13 GBs) has been a key contributor on the defensive end. Sewanee may not have the gaudiest overall record on the slate, but they’ve picked up some really nice wins and are a very solid team that I believe are a front runner for the SAA title in 2026. 

Colorado College comes in at 7-2 and will be playing its first SAA game since joining the conference, which adds a little extra hype to an already great matchup. The Tigers have beaten Aurora, Adams State, John Carroll, Wentworth, St. Joseph of Maine, Calvin, and DeSales, so this group has already shown it can beat quality teams in 2026. 

The offense runs through Aidan Niklaus (44 points) and Matt Hudson (37 points), a dangerous duo that can absolutely light up a scoreboard if they get into rhythm.

DeeThreeLax Take
Sewanee has momentum within the conference, Colorado College brings serious offensive firepower, and both teams have a chance to make a statement. This is the kind of game that could tell us a lot about the SAA picture moving forward.