Gettysburg Set to Host WD3 Championships
from press release
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – For nearly a century and a half,
the town of Gettysburg has been recognized as the focal point of
one of the greatest battles in one of the greatest wars in American
history, and in just a few days the area will once again be invaded
as Gettysburg College hosts the NCAA Division II and III Women's
Lacrosse Championships at Clark Field.
Four teams each from Division II and III have emerged from the
opening rounds of the national tournament to stake a claim as a
national champion this Saturday and Sunday, May 22-23. This time
around, the "Battle of Gettysburg" won't pit north against south
with teams coming from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, nor
will blue and gray be the dominant colors as the eight schools
bring buff, blue, white, maroon, gold, orange, crimson, purple,
brown, and green to the table.
"We're very excited to have the opportunity to host this very
important championship in the NCAA," said Director of Athletics
David Wright. "I think it's a strong affirmation that Gettysburg
College can put on an event like this and do it extraordinarily
well."
It's a semifinal rematch on both sides of the DIII bracket as
defending national champion Franklin & Marshall College (16-3)
puts its title on the line against 2008 champ and unbeaten Hamilton
College (20-0) in Saturday's first game at 11 a.m. Host Gettysburg
(18-3) defends its turf against 2009 national runner-up Salisbury
University (19-1) in the second semi at 2 p.m. F&M downed
Hamilton 16-13 and Salisbury snuck by Gettysburg 11-10 in last
season's national tournament.
Three Division II schools return to the semifinals for the second
consecutive year in Lock Haven University (16-1), C.W. Post (17-1),
and defending champion Adelphi University (17-1). Lock Haven opens
the DII semis against 2008 national champion West Chester
University (18-1) on Saturday at 5 p.m., with C.W. Post and Adelphi
squaring off at 8 p.m.
This is the first national championship event of any kind hosted at
Gettysburg College. The school has pulled out all the stops for
visiting teams and personnel and has made a barrage of facility
upgrades over the past year to ensure the weekend's operation runs
as smoothly as possible.
"I think that when people come here and see the hard work that has
gone into it - the dedication of the administrators, coaches, and
staff," noted Wright, "my anticipation is that the NCAA will be
excited enough to want to come back and do this again. I think
there will be some long-lasting effects for Gettysburg College and
the Gettysburg community as a whole."
Teams will be arriving in Gettysburg Thursday and will practice on
Memorial and Clark Fields throughout Friday. All teams have been
offered an opportunity to visit the historic Battlefield during the
day and will have team pictures taken at their respective state
monuments. Friday's festivities close with the Championships
Banquet inside the College Union Building Ballroom.
Saturday's semifinals will be broadcast live via webcast by the
NCAA. Sunday's championship games, set for noon and 3 p.m., will be
shown live on CBS College Sports.
