The No. 19 Stanford field hockey team will make its third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years after defeating No. 18 Massachusetts in an NCAA play-in game.

The Cardinal (15-5, 5-1 NorPac) improved its away record to 11-3 this season with the 2-1 victory on Tuesday. The squad will need to capitalize on its momentum this weekend in a first-round matchup against No. 2 North Carolina (19-2, 4-1 ACC), the defending national champion.

Stanford has never won in NCAA Tournament play, losing all nine games it has competed in. Last season’s appearance ended with a 4-0 loss to Princeton after clinching a spot in the tournament with a play-in game victory.

This year’s NCAA Championship will be hosted by Maryland in College Park, Md. The Cardinal will take on the Tar Heels this Saturday at 8:30 a.m. PST.