INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- The NCAA field hockey tournament is back! Fans would have to turn back the clock to November 2019 for the last time an ODAC team had the chance to play for a national field hockey championship. The NCAA put an end to the event's hiatus with the announcement of the 2021 Division III Field on Sunday evening.

For just the third time in conference history, two teams will carry the ODAC's banner into the bracket. Conference champion Washington and Lee University is joined by the University of Lynchburg in the 26-team field. The ODAC, which has sponsored field hockey since 1983, previously featured more than one team on the national stage in 2003 and 2005.

The 2021 NCAA field is two teams larger than in 2019. Sixteen of the tourney's 26 programs received automatic qualification from their respective conferences. Three schools earned "Pool B" bids as independent teams or those that compete in league's that do not feature automatic NCAA qualification. The remaining seven teams received at-large bids from "Pool C," which includes all teams that did not receive AQ or Pool B entries. Lynchburg was an at-large choice.

RELATED: NCAA Release | Interactive Bracket | Printable Bracket

Washington and Lee (17-0), ranked 11th in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Top-20 poll, earned a bye through the first round of competition. The Generals head to Rowan University for second and third round action in an eventual four-team pod. They will be the home team in one second round game where their opponent will either be the University of Scranton (17-1) or Ursinus College (13-5). The host Profs (16-2) are in the same situation. Rowan's opponent will be the winner of the Ohio Wesleyan University (10-5) at SUNY Cortland (16-2) first round matchup. In addition to W&L, Rowan is ranked sixth by the NFHCA, while Ursinus is 13th, Cortland 15th, and Scranton is receiving votes towards the chart.

Lynchburg (14-7) will host a first round contest in the upcoming midweek. The Hornets welcome Salisbury University (11-7) to the Hill City. The winner of that contest will travel to Johnson Hopkins University (19-0) for second and third round action and square off against the nationally second-ranked Blue Jays in round two. The other second round contest will feature winners of a pair of first round games. Sixth-ranked Bowdoin College (14-4) hosts Eastern Connecticut State University (14-5), while #18 Christopher Newport University (11-5) welcomes Centre College (14-3) to campus.

The 10 first round games are slated for Wednesday, November 10. Four locations will host four-teams pods in second and third round play on Saturday and Sunday, November 13-14. The national semifinals and championship will be competed on Saturday and Sunday, November 20-21, at Robin Sheppard Field in Hartford, Connecticut. Trinity College (Conn.) will serve as the national championship host.

Game times and ticket information will be announced later this week. For more information, visit the websites of any of the participating schools. You can also go to the home of the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.