EWING, N.J. – The No. 6 TCNJ lacrosse team learned on Monday morning that it will serve as a host for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, set to begin on Saturday. TCNJ earned a first-round bye and will play its first game in the second round on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Lions will play the winner of Messiah and St. Mary's (Md.). Those teams will play their first-round game at TCNJ on Saturday at 1 p.m.

TCNJ earned its 12^th consecutive NJAC Championship with a 16-9 victory over Rowan on Saturday. The Lions have made the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament for 37 consecutive seasons. Last season, the Lions reached the national semifinal before bowing out of the tournament in Roanoke.

This season, the Lions earned three of the five Player of the Year awards on the All-NJAC Team, and head coach Sharon Pfluger also earned the NJAC Coach of the Year award. Ally Tobler earned Attack Player of the Year, Wayden Ay was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Julia Charest was tabbed as Goaltender of the Year. The Lions also had six players earn First Team All-NJAC honors. Anna Devlin, Anna Wright and Sabrina Phillips joined the three major award winners on the First Team.

Messiah enters the NCAA Tournament after falling to York (Pa.), 10-7, in the MAC Commonwealth Championship Game on Saturday. Rachel Delate leads the team with 55 goals, 40 assists and 95 points. Messiah ranks 21^st in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 7.11 goals per game.

St. Mary's (Md.) makes its second-consecutive trip to Ewing for the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Seahawks defeated Framingham State in the first round before losing to TCNJ, 20-12, in the second round. Hailey Betch led the United East in goals (64), assists (33), and points (97). Her 97 points rank 26^th nationally.

Stay with tcnjathletics.com this week for more information on the NCAA Tournament.