INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- Aurora University has been selected to compete in the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championship and will make the short trip to Chicago for regional play.

The Spartans (12-7), which needed a late goal from Nicolina Smith to edge Milwaukee School of Engineering, 9-8, in Saturday's Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Women's Lacrosse Tournament championship game, will face Hope College (14-3) at 1 p.m. Friday, May 8, at Stagg Field on the campus of the University of Chicago.

The Dutch swept the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) regular-season and tournament titles.

Aurora is in the field for the fifth time in six seasons (1-4 all-time), while Hope has qualified for the fourth consecutive year (0-3 all-time).

Friday's winner will advance to face regional host University of Chicago (10-5) at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9.

Thirty-one teams earned automatic qualification while the remaining 16 teams were selected through at-large bids. Competition will kickoff on Saturday, May 9 and will conclude on Sunday, May 24 at Judson Stadium in Rochester, NY.