Release courtesy of Franklin & Marshall Athletic Communications
Top-ranked Franklin & Marshall has been selected to host the opening rounds of the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament this weekend in Lancaster, Pa. The Diplomats earned the Centennial Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA postseason with a 17-14 victory over fifth-ranked Gettysburg last Saturday in what amounted to the de facto championship game.
On Monday, the Diplomats learned they will be entering the bracket in the second round to play the victor of William Smith/Meredith, who do battle in the first round of the tournament on Saturday. F&M will begin play at 4:00pm on Sunday afternoon in their first game of the NCAA Tournament, which begins this weekend.
F&M will host the first and second rounds on Saturday-Sunday at Shadek Stadium. Seven teams will travel to Lancaster this weekend, with two of those squads set to advance to the regional semifinals the following weekend at Washington and Lee.
F&M in the NCAA Tournament
The Diplomats will be hosting NCAA Tournament games for the 14th time in program history. They have earned the right to host at least one NCAA game on their home field every year they advanced to the tournament since the 2006 campaign. That certainly appears to be good news for the Diplomats as they are 20-1 all-time at home in the NCAA Tournament. The Diplomats are 34-19 all-time in NCAA Tournament contests, winning national championships during the 2007 and 2009 seasons.
F&M Record by Round in NCAA Tournament
34-19 all-time (20-1 at home, 2-12 on the road, and 12-6 in neutral site contests)
First Round: 5-6 (3-0 at home)
Second Round: 6-0 (6-0 at home)
Regional Semifinal: 12-1
Regional Final: 6-6
National Semifinal: 3-5
National Championship: 2-1
Franklin & Marshall has not lost a first round game in the NCAA Tournament this century. All six of those first round defeats came from 1987-1998 when a smaller bracket size saw teams jump right into quarterfinal action.
F&M Record vs. Potential Opponents
Franklin & Marshall has only played William Smith once in the NCAA Tournament - a 16-14 first round loss in 1994. The two teams met every year on spring break between 2004-2007, splitting the four games. The Herons took the first two, while the Diplomats won the last two.
F&M has never played Meredith.
Spectators
Each participating institution will be limited to two (2) spectators per student-athlete and coach. No general admission tickets will be sold.
Masks and physical distancing are required at all times on campus and in Shadek Stadium. Additional health and safety protocols for spectators will be sent directly to participating institutions.
Tailgating is not permitted at any time, and spectators must depart the facility and campus following the conclusion of the contest.
Live video and live stats to follow all of this weekend's first and second round action will be available on GoDiplomats.com.
Weekend Schedule
First Round (Saturday, May 8)
11:30am - Catholic vs. Becker
2:30pm - St. John Fisher vs. Cazenovia
5:30pm - William Smith vs. Meredith
Second Round (Sunday, May 9)
1:00pm - Catholic/Becker vs. St. John Fisher/Cazenovia
4:00pm - F&M vs. William Smith/Meredith