First Round Play Begins on Wednesday

FOREST, Va. --- Four ODAC schools will continue their seasons into the NCAA postseason this week as first round competition begins in the 2013 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Lacrosse Tournaments.  Washington and Lee University will be the conference's lone participant on the women's side, while the Generals are joined by Roanoke College and Lynchburg College in the men's bracket.  Opening games in both tourneys begin on Wednesday.

NCAA Men's Tournament Bracket       NCAA Women's Tournament Bracket

The women's tournament field is 32-teams deep with three rounds of competition culminating in the national championship game on May 19 at Mustang Stadium in Owings Mills, Md.  The men's tournament, one team larger than in 2012 with a 29-team bracket, plays its national championship game on May 26 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa.

On the women's side, Washington and Lee (10-9 overall, 7-3 ODAC) earned its spot in the tournament via the ODAC's automatic bid.  Playing out of the fourth seed, the Generals won three times in the ODAC postseason to capture their fourth straight and 14th overall conference title.  W&L hits the road for its NCAA first round contest, taking on York College (Pa.).  The Spartans (13-4, 5-1 CAC) earned an at-large bid after falling in the Capital Athletic Conference championship game.

Roanoke College (15-3, 9-0) captured the ODAC men's lacrosse automatic bid with its win over Washington and Lee on Sunday in the conference title game.  The Maroons have won 18 overall and three of the past four league crowns.  RC welcomes Centre College (11-3, 6-1 SAA) to Salem.  The Colonels received an at-large bid after falling in the Southern Athletic Association semifinals.

Washington and Lee (15-4, 7-2) joins Lynchburg (12-5, 7-2) as at-large entries from the ODAC and both will host first round matchups.  The Generals take on Sewanee (14-3, 6-1) in Lexington on Wednesday.  The Tigers earned their place by winning the SAA tournament championship.  The Hornets will see St. Mary's College (Md.) come to Lynchburg.  The Seahawks (12-6, 4-2 CAC) won the CAC championship to punch their NCAA ticket.

For more information on the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Lacrosse Tournaments, visit the NCAA at www.ncaa.com.  For more on ODAC men's and women's lacrosse, visit the websites of any of the participating schools or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.