INDIANAPOLIS -- Kutztown University women's lacrosse is having its best season since the program regained varsity status in 2008. Late Wednesday, the Golden Bears were among six teams from the Atlantic Region to appear on the NCAA Lacrosse Committee's initial set of regional rankings.

The first set of rankings are displayed alphabetically, showing teams under consideration for a national tournament bid. When the second set of rankings comes out next Wednesday, April 26, the top six will be ranked numerically for the first time.

The NCAA regional rankings determine participants for the NCAA Tournament. The top four teams from the Atlantic, East, Midwest and South Regions will make up the 16-team tournament field. Kutztown has never qualified for the NCAA Tournament during 30 previous varsity seasons that span 1976-90 and 2008-present.

The Golden Bears improved to 10-3 on the year and 10-2 in region with yesterday's 19-6 home victory over Bloomsburg. That result is not factored into the first set of rankings, which included all games prior to April 16. KU's only losses this season have come to nationally ranked opponents West Chester, East Stroudsburg and Lynn.

All six teams in the Atlantic Region hail from the PSAC. East Stroudsburg, Kutztown and West Chester represent the Eastern Division, while IUP, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock appear from the Western Division. There are a total of 25 women's lacrosse programs in the Atlantic Region between the PSAC and Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).

Kutztown has three games remaining in the regular season, beginning with Saturday's contest at Millersville. A win over the Marauders would clinch a spot in the PSAC Tournament for the Golden Bears for the first time since reintroducing the program. The Maroon and Gold will also play at West Chester, April 26, and at home against East Stroudsburg, April 29.