FAIRFIELD, Conn.— Coming off a win in the 2023 Northeast Conference Championship, the Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team will travel to the University of North Carolina to take on the defending National Champions in the first round of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament, announced during the selection show on ESPNU.
 
The Pioneers, making their fourth DI NCAA tournament appearance will play the fourth-seeded Tar Heels on Friday, May 12 at 2:00 PM on Dorrance Field in Chapel Hill, N.C.
 
Sacred Heart is coming off a historic season, riding a 10-game win streak heading into the NCAA Tournament. SHU won its fourth NEC title in program history on Saturday, defeating Wagner at home 7-6, its first since 2010. The Pioneers were making their first postseason appearance since 2017. The Red and White have an 11-7 overall record on the season and were a perfect 8-0 in NEC play.
 
The NEC title came dramatically. Sacred Heart was down 6-3 to Wagner with 11:04 left in the game and scored four straight goals to erase a three-goal deficit to claim the 2023 NEC crown. With the game tied 6-6, first-year Maggie Araneo notched the game-winner with 15 seconds on the clock, and SHU won the following draw control to ensure their fourth birth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our season and play against a nationally ranked program in UNC. The players are excited and ready to compete," said SHU Head Coach Laura Korutz.
 
The Pioneers are led by a trio of upperclassmen, All-NEC first teamers, Claire McElhenny and Grace Reinold, and NEC Offensive Player of the Year and NEC Tournament MVP, Lydia Werlau.
 
Werlau leads Sacred Heart in three categories this season, goals (53), assists (15), and points (68). She is the SHU Division I program leader in points with 229 and the all-time SHU DI leader in goals, with 181.

McElhenny holds the all-time SHU DI draw control record, as she has 215 total draw controls in her career. She leads the team in three categories this season; draw controls with 61, ground balls with 50, and 34 caused turnovers.
 
At the helm of the Pioneers is the four-time NEC Coach of the Year, Laura Korutz. Korutz and her staff of: Dana Spires and Danielle Pannone were selected as the 2023 NEC Coaching Staff of the Year after an undefeated conference regular season and the regular season title. Korutz has led the Pioneers to four NEC Championships and four NCAA postseason appearances. SHU won three consecutive NEC women's lacrosse championships under Korutz in 2008-10. The Pioneers also won or shared the regular season title in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2023. 
 
"What a magical season it has been thus far. We look forward to showing what Sacred Heart women's lacrosse is all about while representing the Northeast Conference," Korutz added.