KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Reigning national champion Kutztown field hockey will get a shot at defending its title as KU had its name announced Monday afternoon on the NCAA DII Field Hockey Selection Show.
 
The Golden Bears (14-5 overall) received the four seed and will host the fifth seed, Southern New Hampshire out of the NE10 Conference, in an NCAA quarterfinal round game this Saturday, Nov. 16, at noon, from Andre Reed Stadium.
 
It is the second straight appearance at NCAAs for Kutztown, winning the title in 2023, and the first time in program history the Maroon and Gold will be hosting an NCAA game in back-to-back seasons. It is also the first time in 41 years KU has made the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons. KU has now competed in the NCAA Tournament eight different seasons and is 6-6 all-time.
 
The Golden Bears last played the Penmen (16-3) in NCAAs back in 2019 when they traveled up to Manchester, N.H., and won in a penalty shootout to advance to the final four.
 
New in 2024, eight teams qualified for the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championships. Per the NCAA Pre-Championships manual, five teams from the Atlantic Region and three teams from the East Region were selected to the field. For the first time, conference champions (PSAC, NE10, SAC) received an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
 
The other quarterfinal matchups include PSAC champion and top seed Shippensburg hosting the eighth seed, Limestone. Second-seeded Assumption hosting the seventh seed, Saint Anselm. Third-seeded East Stroudsburg hosting the sixth seed, Bloomsburg.
 
Limestone University in South Carolina is the host of the NCAA Semifinals (2 and 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22) and the NCAA Championship Game (1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24).