CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's homecoming weekend for students at Queens University of Charlotte. But Saturday also marks a new beginning for the women's lacrosse team, as they make their NCAA Division I debut. 

Last year, Queens University announced it accepted an invitation to join the ASUN Conference, marking a four-year transitional period into Division I.

In a statement, Queens University president Daniel Lugo stated the division jump is a defining moment for Queens and the Charlotte area. 

"One that positions us to be a nationally-recognized university synonymous with the city of Charlotte, one that highlights our commitment to excellence in all that we do, one we have worked really hard for over a number of years, and one that we are prepared to take full advantage of," Lugo said. "It's our time."

Many athletes have already made their Division I debut, including the Royals men's and women's basketball teams. 

Tomorrow, the women's lacrosse team is next in line to play its first Division I game.

Leading the ladies into this new era is 27-year-old Kelly McQuilkin. This is her first season as head coach for the Royals.

Queens named McQuilkin head coach for women's lacrosse in 2022, making her the fifth head coach in the Royals' program history. 

"I came about a month after they announced the Division I transition," McQuilkin said. "It's been really great just to be a part of it, [many] people have put in a lot of sweat and tears to make this happen."

McQuilkin is bringing years of Division I and professional lacrosse experience to the team.

She was a three-year starter for the Towson University Tigers, a Division I sports program. She also played three seasons of pro-league lacrosse for the WPLL Brave.

Prior to coming to Queens, McQuilkin served as the associate head women's lacrosse coach at High Point University.

McQuilkin says it's important for her players to see women succeeding on and off the field. 

"I grew up each year with a coach being pregnant or having a baby, it was incredible to see," McQuilkin said. "I think it's empowering to show people you can do both."

She says Queens making the Division I jump could attract more student athletes to the college who also dream of having it all, including women lacrosse players.

That's one reason why she and college leaders feel the division jump is a game-changer for the Royals.  

"It's allowing us to tap into more recruits that weren't interested in playing in Division II,"  McQuilkin said.

Player Shannon Kingston says she's excited to join her teammates on the field and embark on this new division journey. 

"It's going to be so cool to get some new competition," Kingston said. "[We've] been putting in so much work and I can't wait to see it all pay off." 

The big Division I matchup is happening Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Dickson Field at the Queens University Sports Complex, at 2229 Tyvola Road. 

The Royals will be facing the University of Richmond Spiders.