INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- For the sixth-time in ODAC women's soccer history, three teams will represent the conference in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament field. ODAC champion University of Lynchburg, owners of the league's automatic berth to the NCAA postseason, will be joined by Virginia Wesleyan University and Washington and Lee University as at-large selections by the Division III Women's Soccer Championship Committee.
Turn back the clock to 2018 for the last time the ODAC featured three teams on the national women's soccer stage. Lynchburg will be making its conference-record 21 appearance in an NCAA bracket. The 2014 national champions are 29-17-6 in their previous showings. Virginia Wesleyan is in the field for a 14th time, having posted an 8-12-4 mark in their 13 other appearances. Both the Hornets and Marlins played for the walnut & bronze in 2021, but Washington and Lee is in the field for the first time since 2016. The Generals are 5-5-2 in six previous tournament berths.
The field of 64 teams includes 44 squads that earned Pool "A" bids as automatic qualifiers from their respective conferences. Lynchburg falls into this category. One program received a Pool "B" berth for true independent programs or those competing in leagues without automatic qualification. Pool "C" -- at-large choices among all remaining teams eligible for selection -- account for the remaining 19 teams in the bracket. Virginia Wesleyan and Washington and Lee earned their spots through Pool "C."
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Lynchburg (11-3-7) will be on the road for early round competition. The Hornets travel to Montclair State University (N.J.) and square off with the host Red Hawks (16-2-1) in the first round. The other first round game features John Jay College (12-2-2) and defending national champion Christopher Newport University (16-0-2). Montclair State is an at-large choice out of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). CNU won the Coast-to-Coast Conference (C2C) championship, while John Jay collected the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) trophy.
Virginia Wesleyan (15-2-3) will stay home and welcome three teams to Virginia Beach for early round action. The Marlins will meet the University of Puget Sound (16-3-1) in the first round. The other opening contest features Rowan University (13-0-4) and Methodist University (14-2-1). The Puget Sound loggers travel across the country (Tacoma, Wash.) as an at-large selection out of the Northwest Conference (NWC). Rowan won the NJAC title, while Methodist donned the USA South crown.
Like Lynchburg, Washington and Lee (14-1-5) will travel for first and second round play. The Generals head south to Emory University (12-4-0) where they will meet Centre College (14-3-1) in their opening contest. The host Eagles meet Piedmont University (9-5-3) in the other first round showdown. Emory is an at-large choice out of the University Athletic Association (UAA) with Centre earning its position by winning the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) championship. Piedmont won the Collegiate Conference of the South title, but the CCS is a new conference and does not yet feature an automatic bid. The Lions are in the field as the lone Pool "B" entrant.
First and second round play is set for Friday through Sunday, November 11-13. Sectionals and quarterfinal action will be competed on November 18-20. The remaining four teams will come to ODAC country with the conference serving as co-hosts with the City of Salem and Roanoke College for the national semifinals and championship. Kerr Stadium will be the setting for all three games. The semifinals will be on Friday, December 2, while the championship will be played Sunday, December 4.
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.