UMBC

BALTIMORE—The UMBC women’s lacrosse team today announced its 2009 schedule, which is highlighted by four games against teams that advanced to the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The Retrievers will play nine home games, including six in a row in March.

“We are excited about our schedule this year with the in-state rivalries and five teams that were ranked in the top 20 last year,” fourth-year head coach Courtney Connor said. “We have a lot of good competition, and we are excited for the 2009 season.”

The Retrievers open the season with three straight road games, starting with a local foe in Howard on Feb. 14. UMBC will then travel to 2008 NCAA Tournament participant Vanderbilt on Feb. 21 for the first time ever, before playing the first of three cross-town rivals in Loyola on Feb. 25.

The Retrievers welcome another Baltimore team and NCAA participant, Towson, to UMBC Stadium for the home opener on March 3. The contest against the Tigers kicks off a season-long six-game home stand that also includes games against perennial foes Delaware (March 9) and Old Dominion (March 13), as well as first-time opponents Holy Cross (March 6) and Iona (March 17) before concluding with the America East Conference opener against Stony Brook on March 21.

Other non-conference contests include road games at local rivals Johns Hopkins (March 24) and American (April 8) and a first-ever matchup against LeMoyne on Senior Day (April 18).

 In addition to Stony Brook, UMBC will host league games against Binghamton (April 1) and 2008 NCAA Tournament participant New Hampshire (April 4), while the Retrievers travel to Vermont (March 28), Albany (April 11) and four-time defending America East champion Boston University (April 25).