Falcons to Host Best-of-Three Series May 10–11 for a Spot at Nationals

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — MAY 6, 2025 — After a dominant Region 15 Championship performance, Dutchess Community College’s Women’s Softball team will host the District Tournament on its home field May 10–11, competing for a coveted spot in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.

The Falcons’ return to competitive play just last spring marked the program’s first season since a five-year hiatus. In 2024, the team posted a 1–17 record. One year later, they’ve captured the Region 15 title with decisive wins over Monroe-Bronx (11–1, 9–1) and Suffolk (16–4), completing a season defined by growth, determination and resilience.

“I couldn’t imagine last year being in the spot we are today,” said Assistant Coach Cassidy Watt, who played on DCC’s Women’s Softball team the year before COVID-19 disrupted college sports throughout the world. “2024 was the program’s first season in five years, and we had only won one game. We knew then we were laying the foundation for now, resourcing our past feelings of defeat as fuel. Our sophomores became the backbone of our team spirit, and our fierce freshman class was the cherry on top. I couldn’t be prouder of this team.”

Head Coach Chip Watt reflected on the team’s grit and unity throughout the season. “We were playing a game this spring in the wind and rain. The weather was raw and cold,” he recalled. “I remembered an old adage and shared it with the players: If you’re ever told that you’re too weak to weather the storm, your response should always be: ‘We are the storm!’”

The Falcons are led by Head Coach Chip Watt, Assistant Coach Cassidy Watt and Assistant Coach Gabe Baez. They will face the Community College of Rhode Island in a best-of-three District Tournament series on DCC’s main campus this weekend.

The games are free and open to the public. The winner of the series will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament, to be held in Herkimer, N.Y., May 21–24.

DCC invites the community to come out and support this inspiring team whose incredible comeback story is still being written.

Game Schedule:

Saturday, May 10
Game 1 – 12 p.m.
Game 2 – 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 11 (if necessary)
Game 3 – 11 a.m.

Visitors are encouraged to park in Lot D (GPS address: 97 Cottage Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601).

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Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college that has earned a reputation for providing an outstanding education and offers one of the lowest tuition rates in New York state. The College currently has four locations including its main campus in Poughkeepsie, DCC @ Fishkill, DCC @ HVR Airport, and DCC @ the Family Partnership Center. For more information visit www.sunydutchess.edu.