Automatic Qualifiers and At-Large Teams
The NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship is a 16-team, single-elimination tournament. Eight conferences receive a berth via automatic qualification (AQ). The remaining teams are selected at large. The AQ conferences are:
American East Conference
American Lacrosse Conference
Atlantic 10 Conference
Big East Conference
Colonial Athletic Association
Ivy Group
Patriot League
A play-in process for non-automatic-qualifying conferences has been implemented to provide increased access to the championship. At least 50 percent of a championship bracket shall be allocated for automatic-qualifying or play-in conferences, based on the number of eligible conferences and size of bracket. Play-in conferences are determined by the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Committee using RPI from the most recent season. Conferences participating in the play-in game for 2007 are the Metro Atlantic Conference and the Northeast Conference.
See conferences for members and current standings.
To qualify for the tournament, teams must play a minimum of ten games, and games tied after regulation play must be decided in overtime.
Primary Factors for Selecting At-Large Teams
To be considered for at-large selection, teams must have a .500 or better record against all opponents. In evaluating teams for at-large berths, the following factors are considered (in no specific order) by the Division I Women's Lacrosse Committee:
- Rating Percentage Index (RPI)
- Overall winning percentage
- Strength of schedule (based on the 10 highest-rated teams on an institutions schedule) – see current SOS percentages
- Head-to-head competition
- Wins against common opponents
- Eligibility/availability of student-athletes
Secondary Factors for Selecting At-Large Teams
In the event that an analysis of the primary criteria does not result in a decision by the selection committee, they will evaluate, in no specific order, significant wins and losses and late-season performance.
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