The NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse postseason format has undergone a slight face lift for the 2018 season. Similar to the past two seasons, the postseason field will still feature a 12-team bracket, but the field has now been divided from two regions (North-South) to four regions (Atlantic-East-Midwest-South).
In 2018, three teams will be selected for the NCAA championship from each of the four regions, with the number one seed in each region receiving a first round bye. No more than three teams from any region will be selected.
Previously, with the North-South bracket, six teams were selected from each region. The top two seeds in both the North and South were awarded first round byes.
While the change from a two region model to a four region model may be subtle, there could be very real implications.
Last year, the Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) and the East Coast Conference (ECC) garnered all six spots in the North bracket. In the new model, with both leagues in the East Region, the total number of berths between the two conferences will be limited to three.
A team like New Haven, seeded fourth in the North bracket last year and the third squad from the NE10, behind Adelphi and Le Moyne, would be left out of the postseason field in 2018.
“Looking at this from a narrow perspective, it could be frustrating,” said Jen Fallon, head coach at New Haven. “But from the broader perspective, I think we all understand that this is what is best for the game.”
The competitiveness of the East Region will also impact the contenders in the ECC, which placed LIU Post, Mercy and NYIT into the playoffs last year. In the four region model, only No. 3 seed LIU Post would have earned a berth.
“Obviously, there are pros and cons to the new format, but I think we have to look at the bigger picture,” said Meghan McNamara, head coach at LIU Post. “The D-2 mentality is all about regionalization, and this vision is important for our future. Our division is growing.”
McNamara notes that the short term impact of the change may be more difficult than adjusting to the format in the future.
“This is a hard hit for us at Post, but this year may be the hardest,” she said. “We’ve kept a strong schedule and we love playing competitive games. But coaches will make adjustments. We’re all aware of what we have to do to put ourselves in position for the postseason.”
While hurting some, the four region model may also benefit others. Last year, Mercyhurst finished as the runner-up in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), losing to East Stroudsburg by one goal in the championship game. The Lakers finished with a 13-5 overall record, but did not receive a playoff bid as East Stroudsburg was the PSAC’s only qualifier in the South bracket.
In 2018, the PSAC is now one of two leagues in the Atlantic Region and could, conceivably, receive up to three berths.
“I think there were probably two or three (PSAC) teams deserving of selection last year,” said Kevin Cooke, head coach at Mercyhurst. “This is going to give some teams a chance.”
Cooke believes that an adjustment in scheduling philosophies may be the biggest trend to emerge from the format change.
“Scheduling over the next one to two years will be very important until we, as coaches, fully understand what factor it will play in postseason selection,” he said. “But, you still have to win the games that you play.”
Fallon notes that the format change does not really impact her program’s day-to-day strategy.
“As players and coaches, our goal does not change. We still prepare ourselves to compete and to win every game,” she said.
As in the past, Regional Advisory Committees will be utilized to help determine the most worthy teams for selection to the postseason championship.
“The Regional Advisory Committees meet weekly, beginning in April, to make recommendations to the national committee,” said Morgan DeSpain, NCAA assistant director for championships and alliances. “Most times, the national committee agrees with the recommendation, but they can make adjustments as needed.”
The NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse championship expanded from four teams to six teams in 2009, and to eight teams in 2013. The current 12-team bracket began in 2016. All brackets utilized the two region model (North-South).
Additional change will be coming again in 2019, as the NCAA Division II Presidents Council last month approved expansion of the postseason bracket to 16 teams. The 16-team bracket will continue to utilize the four region model.