PISCATAWAY, N.J. – For the first time since 1999 and just the second time in program history, Rutgers women's lacrosse is heading to the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights earned an at-large selection and open tournament play against Drexel on Friday, May 14 at 4 p.m. ET at Stony Brook University.
 
The selection ends a 22-year NCAA postseason drought for RU as the program looks to secure its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory later this week. Rutgers last competed at the NCAA Tournament during the 1999 season, when the Scarlet Knights finished 14-3 and lost to James Madison in the opening round.

🚨 WE ARE IN! 🚨 #BxB 🧱 | #GoRU pic.twitter.com/mHezRCO4VD

— Rutgers Women's Lacrosse (@rutgers_wlax) May 10, 2021

 
Rutgers produced one of its best seasons in recent memory under second-year head coach Melissa Lehman, as the Scarlet Knights closed with six victories over Big Ten Conference foes and five over ranked opponents – both program records. RU's resume includes the program's first-ever wins over Johns Hopkins, Maryland and Penn State as well as three victories over Ohio State. Rutgers' third win over the Buckeyes came in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament last month, as the Scarlet Knights advanced to the conference semifinals for just the second time since beginning league play in 2015.

"This group is special and we really bonded this past year," Lehman said. "They believe in each other and what we're doing. To do this for Rutgers after so many years and to put New Jersey on our back is just a special feeling." 

🚨 WE ARE IN! 🚨

For the first time since 1999, we'll compete in the NCAA Tournament, as we face Drexel in the opening round!#BxB 🧱 | #GoRU pic.twitter.com/m4D6XbanHi

— Rutgers Women's Lacrosse (@rutgers_wlax) May 10, 2021

 
RU also entered the rankings this season for the first time since the 2013 campaign and have been pegged as high as No. 14 in the country during the 2021 season. Rutgers – currently ranked No. 16 in the IWLCA Coaches Poll – has defeated ranked opponents No. 11 Maryland, No. 13 Penn State and Ohio State when they were ranked 19th (twice) and 23rd.
 
Rutgers landed a program-record four student-athletes on the All-Big Ten team, which includes first-team selections Cassidy Spilis and Meghan Ball and second-team picks Taralyn Naslonski and Dana Pena. Ball and Spilis also earned recognition as 2021 Tewaaraton Award watchlisters and Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-Americans, while Spilis and Marin Hartshorn landed on the All-Big Ten Tournament team for their performances in RU's two games against Ohio State and No. 2 Northwestern.