The New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance will be adding two members beginning in the spring of 2008. Bridgewater State College and Fitchburg State College will be joining as the eighth and ninth members of the Alliance.

Bridgewater State, a founding member of the NEWLA in 1998, rejoins the Alliance after a two year hiatus. The Bears captured three straight NEWLA Southern Division titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and won the NEWLA tournament championship in 1999 and again in 2003. Bridgewater State competed as an independent the past two seasons.

"As a charter member of the NEWLA, it's good to be back in the fold with institutions looking to improve the quality of women's lacrosse in New England," said John Harper, Bridgewater State College Director of Athletics.

Fitchburg State will play as a club program next season and begin varsity competition in 2008.

"We are very pleased to join the NEWLA and see this as a very positive step toward increasing the competitive participation opportunities for our female athletes," said Fitchburg State Director of Athletics Sue Lauder.

The current seven team Alliance will increase to eight when Norwich begins play in the spring of 2007. Western New England, a member of the NEWLA since 1999, will depart the NEWLA and begin play in the Commonwealth Coast Conference as a full member in 2008. The addition of Bridgewater State and Fitchburg State will bring membership back up to nine.

Founded in the Fall of 1998, the NEWLA is a single sport conference comprised of NCAA Division-III institutions in New England. They are Bridgewater State College, Castleton State College, Elms College, Emerson College, Fitchburg State College, Lasell College, Norwich University, Thomas College, Western New England College and Worcester State College.