PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 5 Rutgers field hockey earned an at-large bid to the 2023 NCAA Tournament, it was announced Sunday night as the NCAA revealed the postseason bracket on NCAA.com. The Scarlet Knights will face Harvard in the Opening Round, in a game hosted by UNC in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The game will be Friday at 2:30 p.m.

"We've had an amazing season so far, so to keep that dream alive and keep playing is super exciting," Rutgers captain Sophia Howard said. "We're really excited to get on the road and get down there, play our best, we're really grateful for the opportunity."

The 2023 NCAA Tournament appearance in the fifth in the program's history, and the third time in past six seasons. Prior to 2018, RU had just two NCAA appearances, and now have gone three times since then. RU also went to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, 2018, 1986 and 1984. The Scarlet Knights are 3-4 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.

Rutgers field hockey had an outstanding season, holding a record of 16-3 overall. The Scarlet Knights, who won a program-record 15 consecutive games to begin the season, won the second most games ever for the program. The Scarlet Knights have claimed seven ranked wins this season.

The matchup against Harvard will be the first ever meeting between the two schools. The Crimson went 15-3 overall and won the Ivy League Tournament, entering the tournament on a 10-game winning streak.  

No. 1 seed UNC is the host of the Region. The Tar Heels will face the winner of the play-in game between William & Mary and Sacred Heart, with the winner of that game advancing to the Elite Eight to face the Rutgers/Harvard winner.

Rutgers has wins over two teams in the NCAA Tournament field: Maryland and Cal. Northwestern and Iowa also made the field from the Big Ten.