Delaware State, Howard and South Carolina will join the Great West Conference beginning this fall as associate members in women’s soccer. All three teams will play in the conference’s Eastern Division.

“My team and I are very excited to be a part of the Great West Conference,” said Delaware State coach Nitan Soni. “It shows how this soccer program is improving and will continue to improve in the seasons ahead.”

The Great West women’s soccer members include NJIT in the Eastern Division and Western Division members Houston Baptist, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah Valley. All eight teams will play in the postseason tournament in November at NJIT. Conference Commissioner Ed Groom said that dividing the teams into two divisions was fiscally and academically responsible.

“We will look to add associate members where we see the opportunity to improve the quality of a given sport while at the same time becoming more fiscally responsible for our members,” Groom said.