INDIANAPOLIS -- The University of New England will visit the University of Rochester for the first round of the 2022 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship on Wednesday at 3 p.m., as it was announced Sunday night (Nov. 6) by the national committee during the tournament selection show on NCAA.com.

Interactive bracket: 2022 NCAA Division III FIeld Hockey Championship
Complete NCAA release / Selection Show
Digital Program

The field of 26 institutions features 17 automatic conference qualifiers and nine selected on the merits of their seasons.

The Nor'easters (11-9) claimed the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) AQ in thrilling fashion on Saturday, beating rival Endicott College in overtime by a 3-2 margin. UNE's sixth league title also equals the program's number of national championship appearances. Following a first-round exit during the initial trip back in 2010, the Nor'easters won a game and reached the next stage in their next four opportunities (2014-17).

Rochester (16-5) received an at-large bid into the tournament after falling in the Liberty League final earlier in the day. The Yellowjackets played 80 minutes of scoreless action with William Smith College, before coming up on the short end of a 1-0 result in the ensuing five-round shootout. Rochester is making its seventh NCAA appearance (previously 2012, 2015-19) -- five by way of a Pool C selection -- and has advanced to the quarterfinals in four of the earlier trips.

It will be the first-ever meeting between the squads.

Awaiting the winner between UNE and UR is the host of second and third (quarterfinal) rounds next weekend, Babson College. The Beavers, ranked No.10 in the latest NFHCA poll, boast an 18-3 ledger and captured the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) crown to earn one of six first-round byes. Just three weeks ago, Babson recorded a 2-1 win over the Nor'easters.