The 1981 NCAA Division I field hockey tournament was the first annual single-elimination tournament hosted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to determine the national champion of women's collegiate field hockey among its Division I members in the United States, the culmination of the 1981 NCAA Division I field hockey season.
Connecticut won the first championship, defeating the Massachusetts in the final, 4–1.
The tournament finals were played at Memorial Stadium at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut from November 14–22.
Qualifying
Team Record AppearanceConnecticut10–2–41stLong Beach State8–1–21stMassachusetts16–0–21stOld Dominion 12–1–21stPurdue12–5–51stSan Jose State8–1–11st
Bracket
All-tournament team Sue Caples, Massachusetts Tish Stevens, Massachusetts Judy Strong, Massachusetts
See also 1981 AIAW Division I field hockey tournament 1981 NCAA Division II field hockey tournament 1981 NCAA Division III field hockey tournament
References