Virginia to Host NCAA Tournament This Weekend

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia field hockey team earned the No. 3 overall seed in the 2010 NCAA Field Hockey Championship and will host a regional this weekend in Charlottesville. It marks the second consecutive year the Cavaliers have hosted first and second round action and just the third time in school history.

Virginia (16-3) will meet Michigan State (15-5) at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the first round at the University Hall Turf Field. Princeton (13-4) and Wake Forest (10-9) will compete in the second game at approximately 2 p.m. The winners will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday for a chance to advance to the national semifinals.

The Cavaliers are making their fifth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament under fifth-year head coach Michele Madison. Virginia is making its 17th NCAA appearance and 20th overall national championship appearance. Last season, UVa advanced to the NCAA semifinals for the third time in program history.

“There is no place like home and that was a big surprise,” Madison said. “We are very excited to be at home and to sleep in our own beds and play on our own field. Every opponent is going to be tough in the NCAA tournament so we’ll have to get some tape and prepare. Michigan State is aggressive and determined. They will be ready.”

Virginia faced the Spartans at home in the second round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament, when the Cavaliers earned a 3-2 overtime win to advance onto the national semifinals.

“We have to fire on all cylinders for two games,” Madison said. “And take one game at a time.”

Tickets for the NCAA games are available at the gate for $5 for adults and $3 for students and youth. Parking will be available for $5 in the Cage Lot adjacent to the Turf Field.