INDIANAPOLIS – Following its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship performance that saw them defeat a pair of higher-seeded programs on their way to a berth in the championship game, the Kutztown University women's soccer team heard its name called during the NCAA Selection Show, getting a well-deserved spot in the big dance for the fourth consecutive season and 13th time in program history. The Golden Bears earned the third seed in the Atlantic Region, putting them up against seventh-seeded Charleston (W. Va.) in the first round.

Kutztown (11-4-6, 7-3-6 PSAC East) proved to be a difficult team to defeat in the conference tournament, as head coach Erik Burstein's squad put together wins over rival West Chester and the nation's No. 5 team in undefeated Gannon before falling in a tight contest to 14th-ranked Shepherd in the conference title game.

The Golden Bears turn their attention to NCAA postseason competition, where they boast a 7-9-3 all-time record that includes a 1-1 mark as the second seed last season. KU's best postseason run came in 2016 when the Golden Bears downed West Chester and Bridgeport before falling to the eventual champions, Western Washington, in the Final Four. Last season's postseason featured a win over Concord before West Chester defeated KU in the second round, closing out a year that saw the Maroon and Gold go undefeated in regular season competition.

The Golden Eagles (16-5-0, 13-2-0 Mountain East South) had a strong season, defeating a pair of teams in the conference championship tournament before falling to West Virginia State in the championship game. Kutztown hasn't lost to Charleston in 12 meetings, holding a 10-0-2 record that included a 2-0 victory earlier this season at Keystone Field. The two programs also met at the Gannon Invitational to open 2023, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

The other side of the Atlantic Region bracket features second-seeded Gannon from the PSAC taking on the Mountain East's Frostburg State, who earned the seventh and final seed in the region.

The first round of the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Championship will see Charleston and Kutztown travel to Gannon's McConnell Family Stadium to face off for the second time this season later this week. Dates and game times have yet to be determined. Be sure to check KUBears.com throughout the week for game and ticket information.