CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Virginia Union University flag football team concluded its season at the 2026 CIAA Flag Football Championship on Saturday, April 11, finishing third in the conference after entering the tournament as the No. 3 seed with a 4-2 regular season record.

Virginia Union opened tournament play with a thrilling four-overtime 26-25 victory over Johnson C. Smith University in the quarterfinal round. The Panthers held off a late push from the Golden Bulls to secure the one-point win and advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinal matchup, Virginia Union fell to Fayetteville State University, 18-0, bringing the Panthers' postseason run to an end.

Despite the semifinal loss, the Panthers capped the year as one of the conference's top teams while continuing to build momentum for the program.

"We finished the season as the No. 3 team in the CIAA, and I couldn't have asked for a better group," said Virginia Union head flag football coach Deaundra Barfield. "Through sacrifices, injuries, and adversity, our ladies showed resilience and heart every step of the way. While our run ended in the semifinals, I'm proud of what we built. With dedicated coaches and a new chapter ahead as an official sport, we'll be back next season with a renewed mindset and a different level of focus."

Virginia Union closes the season with a strong foundation as the program prepares for the continued growth of flag football within the CIAA.