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EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University's field hockey program is returning to the NCAA Division II Final Four for a second-straight year.

The Warriors were announced as the national tournament's No. 2 overall seed during Monday's selection show. They earn a first round bye and a chance to play either No. 3 Pace or No. 6 Saint Anselm in a 5 p.m. national semifinal matchup in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Thursday, Nov. 29.

No. 1 West Chester will face No. 4 Shippensburg or No. 5 Merrimack in the other semifinal at 2 p.m., with Final Four victors advancing to the DII championship at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

ESU (15-4) is back in the national tournament for a fourth-consecutive season and a sixth time overall in the past 10 years. The Warriors won the program's first-ever national title with a 1-0 overtime victory over Merrimack in 2015.

ESU enters the tournament ranked first in DII in scoring margin (+2.71) and shutouts per game (0.53). The Warriors have outscored opponents 68-16 through their first 19 contests, posting a five-game shutout streak from Sept. 29 – Oct. 13.

Senior Kelli Shapiro (12 G, 9 A), senior Bailey Quinn (10 G, 2 A), junior Karly Conway (8 G, 4 A) and senior Ashley Ceschini (7 G, 4 A) have all totaled over 15 points on the year, while junior goalkeeper Maddie Richie has a 0.86 goals-against average and a 738 save percentage.

Sunday's first round matchup between Pace and Saint Anselm will take place at 12 p.m., with Pace serving as the host.

The Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field on the campus of Duquesne University will serve as the host for both the semifinal and championship contests.


2018 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Tournament

Sunday, Nov. 25 (First Round)
No. 6 Saint Anselm (15-6) at No. 3 Pace (17-2) – 12 p.m.
No. 5 Merrimack (18-3) at No. 4 Shippensburg (16-4) – 1 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 29 (Semifinals – at Pittsburgh, Pa.)
No. 1 West Chester (17-2) vs. Shippensburg/Merrimack – 2 p.m.
No. 2 ESU (15-4) vs. Pace/Saint Anselm – 5 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1 (Final – at Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Semifinal Winners – 1 p.m.