Release courtesy of Hamline University

ST. PAUL, MN  – They haven't played a game yet but the new Hamline women's lacrosse team already has found a home. Starting in 2017, the Pipers will join the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference. The Pipers will join fellow MIACer Augsburg in what will be a 12-team circuit. The wide-ranging loop encompasses schools in four states – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

"We are very excited to become members of the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference," said Hamline athletic director Jason Verdugo. "Not only does this provide our program with scheduling consistency and continuity, but it allows us to be members of one of the most competitive D-III lacrosse conferences in the country."     

Hamline will play as an independent in 2016. The first official game is Sunday, February 21 against Beloit at 3:00 p.m. at Augsburg's indoor facility. The majority of Hamline's 16-match schedule is set against schools in the MWLC. Five of those matches will be played at their home base, Klas Field.

"This is a huge step for our program and the future of Piper Lacrosse," said HU head coach Karen Heggernes.  "We are extremely excited about the opportunity to compete against some great opponents in the MWLC. Thank you to all members of the conference and their commitment to growing the sport across the Midwest."

Hamline University belongs to the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in the nation. Hamline supports 20 intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women. Find out more about Hamline athletics at www.hamline.edu/athletics.

Creativity and innovation in teaching and learning are the hallmark of Hamline University—home to nearly 5,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students. At Hamline, students collaborate with professors invested in their success. They are challenged in and out of the classroom to create and apply knowledge in local and global contexts, while cultivating an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline is the top-ranked university of its class in Minnesota, according to U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1854, Hamline also is Minnesota's first university and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation.