LEXINGTON, Va. — Fresh off capturing its fifth Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship, the No. 19 Washington and Lee University field hockey team will open the 2026 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament against No. 14 York (Pa.) College on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m. at Kinsley Field in York, Pa.
The Generals (14-4) earned the ODAC's automatic berth following a 2-0 shutout of top-seeded Lynchburg in Saturday's conference championship. W&L returns to the NCAA postseason for the first time since 2022, while York (16-4) secured the MAC Commonwealth's automatic berth with a 2-1 championship victory over Stevenson.
Wednesday's matchup features two nationally ranked conference champions. Washington and Lee has won 10 of its last 11 contests, while York enters on a seven-game winning streak.
The winner of Wednesday's first-round contest will advance to the NCAA second round on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. in Newport News, Va. The third round is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m., also in Newport News.
The NCAA semifinals and national championship are scheduled for Nov. 20 and 22, respectively, in Geneva, N.Y.
COVERAGE LINKS
HOW W&L GOT HERE | ODAC CHAMPIONSHIP
Washington and Lee captured its first ODAC championship since 2022 with a 2-0 victory over top-seeded Lynchburg on Saturday at Shellenberger Field. The title was the program's fifth, joining championship seasons in 2005, 2017, 2021 and 2022.
Senior Zoe Dolfis opened the scoring at 20:29 off a feed from Madeline Lancione before senior Margaret Cover doubled the advantage with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, also assisted by Lancione.
First-year goalkeeper Helenka Chodakiewicz made three saves as the Generals held Lynchburg scoreless despite conceding 11 penalty corners. Both teams finished with 10 shots, but W&L held a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal. Lancione, Dolfis, Britty Page and Morgan Craig earned ODAC All-Tournament Team recognition.
The victory avenged a 3-2 overtime loss to Lynchburg on Oct. 28 and followed a 3-1 semifinal win over Randolph-Macon. The Generals previously defeated Lynchburg, 1-0, in overtime to claim the 2022 conference championship.
Watch the ODAC Championship Replay on FloCollege
HOW YORK GOT HERE | MAC COMMONWEALTH CHAMPIONSHIP
York secured its second MAC Commonwealth championship in three seasons with a 2-1 victory over Stevenson on Saturday at Kinsley Field. Kelsey Shahan scored the deciding goal in the fourth quarter as the Spartans avenged a 1-0 overtime loss to Stevenson from Oct. 14.
The top-seeded Spartans advanced to the championship with a 3-0 semifinal victory over Widener on Nov. 4. York has won seven consecutive contests, outscoring opponents 27-4 during that stretch.
Watch the MAC Commonwealth Championship Replay
SCOUTING THE GENERALS
Washington and Lee enters the national tournament with a balanced offensive attack and a defense allowing fewer than one goal per contest. The Generals have outscored opponents 59-16 through 18 games, averaging 3.28 goals and 20.3 shots per game while recording 10 team shutouts.
Three Generals have reached double-digit goals this season. Lancione leads W&L with 29 points on 10 goals and nine assists, including five game-winning tallies. Margaret Scheurer follows with 26 points on 10 goals and six assists, while Dolfis has totaled 24 points on 10 goals and four assists.
Page has added six goals and one assist, while Cover and Anna Treese have contributed four goals apiece. Chodakiewicz anchors the defense with a 0.81 goals-against average, .767 save percentage, 46 saves and nine individual shutouts.
The Generals have compiled an 8-1 road record, including Saturday's championship victory at Lynchburg.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
York enters Wednesday's contest with a 16-4 record after finishing 7-1 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Spartans have won 14 of their last 15 games, including notable road victories over Johns Hopkins and Salisbury. York defeated Johns Hopkins, 2-1, in overtime on Sept. 22 and Salisbury, 2-1, in double overtime on Sept. 30.
The Spartans have outscored opponents 68-21 through 20 games, averaging 3.40 goals and 19.5 shots per contest. York has generated 266 shots on goal and 216 penalty corners while recording eight team shutouts.
Katelyn Landis leads York with 27 points on 12 goals and three assists. Kate Egan follows with 25 points on 11 goals and three assists, while Kelbie Linebaugh has contributed 22 points on 10 goals and two assists. Olivia Miller leads the Spartans with six assists and has added five goals.
First-year goalkeeper Maddy Merlack has compiled a 14-2 record with a 0.97 goals-against average, .795 save percentage, 58 saves and eight individual shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY AND COMMON OPPONENTS
Wednesday marks the third all-time meeting between the programs and their first since 2013. York holds a 2-0 series advantage, earning a 2-1 victory in Lexington in 2012 and a 5-2 win at Kinsley Field in 2013. The contest will be their first NCAA Tournament meeting.
Both teams faced Johns Hopkins and St. Mary's (Md.) this season. W&L defeated St. Mary's, 4-0, and fell to Johns Hopkins, 1-0, while York defeated St. Mary's, 2-0, and upset Johns Hopkins, 2-1, in overtime.
BY THE NUMBERS | TEAM COMPARISON
| Category |
W&L |
York (Pa.) |
| Overall Record |
14-4 |
16-4 |
| Goals Scored |
59 |
68 |
| Goals Allowed |
16 |
21 |
| Goals Per Game |
3.28 |
3.40 |
| Goals Allowed Per Game |
0.89 |
1.05 |
| Shots Per Game |
20.3 |
19.5 |
| Shots on Goal |
211 |
266 |
| Penalty Corners |
143 |
216 |
| Team Shutouts |
10 |
8 |
| Road Record |
8-1 |
8-1 |
