The pairings are set for the 2018 Centennial Conference field hockey championship tournament.
The opening round match will pit No. 5 seed Dickinson (6-11) at No. 4 seed Muhlenberg (9-7). The Red Devils are making their fifth appearance in the Centennial postseason and third in the last four seasons. Dickinson is 2-1 in the opening round and 2-5 overall in the tournament. The Mules qualified for their eighth CC tournament and fourth in the last five seasons. 'Berg is 1-2 in the opening match and 1-7 overall. Muhlenberg pulled out a 2-1 win on penalty strokes on the road on Sept. 22. Dickinson won the lone playoff meeting between the schools in the 2015 opening match by a 1-0 count in overtime.
The winner advances to Saturday's semifinal against top-seeded Franklin & Marshall (15-2) in Lancaster. The Diplomats are the defending champion and return to the field for the 14th time and eighth straight season. F&M is 8-3 in semifinal matches and 11-11 overall. The Diplomats are 2-0 against both Dickinson and Muhlenberg in the CC playoffs. Franklin & Marshall blanked the Devils, 4-0, on Sept. 19 but fell on the road to the Mules, 1-0, on Sept. 15.
The other semifinal pits No. 2 seed Johns Hopkins (15-2) and No. 3 seed Ursinus (12-5). The Blue Jays are making their 14th trip to the tournament and hold a 9-4 record in the semis and 13-11 overall. Hop is looking for its first Centennial title since 2003. The Bears hold the Centennial record for most playoff appearances and qualified for their 16th consecutive event. Ursinus has won 12 CC titles and has a 25-3 postseason record, including a 12-3 mark in the semifinals. Hopkins blanked UC by a 2-0 count on Oct. 20. The Bears are 7-1 against the Blue Jays in the CC tournament.
The semifinal winners meet for the championship and the Conference's automatic berth to the NCAA tournament on Sunday at Franklin & Marshall.
Wednesday, October 31 - Opening Round at Allentown, Pa.
#5 Dickinson at #4 Muhlenberg
Saturday, November 3 - Semifinals at Lancaster, Pa.
Dickinson/Muhlenberg winner vs. #1 Franklin & Marshall
#2 Johns Hopkins vs. #3 Ursinus
Sunday, November 4 - Final at Lancaster, Pa.
semifinal winners, 1 p.m.