Syracuse & Johns Hopkins Among Opponents on 2009 UAlbany Men's Lacrosse Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9 the school’s men’s lacrosse schedule for the 2009 season. The Great Danes, who have won the America East Conference championship in four of the last six seasons, will play five games against conference opponents. The non-league schedules features defending national champion Syracuse and perennial powers Johns Hopkins and Princeton.

UAlbany begins its tenth season at the NCAA Division I level on Saturday, Feb. 21 against Denver, one of four NCAA participants from last year on the schedule. The Pioneers will be the first opponent to play at the enhanced John Fallon Field, a facility that now has permanent seating for 2,000 with upgraded press box and media areas.

The Great Danes will meet Syracuse on April 17 in the Carrier Dome. The Orange tied a school record with a 16-2 mark en route to winning the 2008 national championship. UAlbany will play twice on ESPNU against former national champions Johns Hopkins (April 4) and Princeton (March 20). The Blue Jays, who reached last year’s Division I title game, have won nine NCAA crowns in their history. The Tigers have captured six national championships since 1992 under Bill Tierney’s direction.

In addition to the home opener, Massachusetts, Delaware, Hartford and defending America East winner UMBC invade John Fallon Field. The Blue Hens, who advanced to the 2007 Final Four, will come to the Capital Region on Friday, March 6. The 4:00 p.m. start will kick off a home sports weekend that includes the America East Men’s Basketball Championship at UAlbany’s SEFCU Arena.

The Great Danes will also travel to conference opponents Binghamton, Vermont and Stony Brook. The America East postseason tournament, slated for April 30 and May 2, will be held at the highest seed’s home facility.

UAlbany head coach Scott Marr, has 28 letterwinners returning from a squad that reached the America East championship final for the seventh consecutive season. The Great Danes have three all-conference players in the fold. Brian Caufield, who earned first-team all-league honors as a freshman, led the team in scoring with 48 points (27 goals, 21 assists). Corey Small and Chris Schongar were second-team all-conference selections. Small had 34 goals and 11 assists from his attack position. Schongar, an aggressive long-stick midfielder, totaled 46 ground balls. UAlbany brought 14 newcomers in a class that includes four U.S. Lacrosse High School All-Americans and one junior college All-America player.

***********

2009 University at Albany Men’s Lacrosse Schedule

February
21 (Sat.), Denver, 1:00;
25 (Wed.), at Siena, 3:00.

March
6 (Fri.), Delaware, 4:00;
10 (Tue.), Massachusetts, 4:00;
14 (Sat.), at Drexel, 3:00;
20 (Fri.), at Princeton, 5:00 (ESPNU);
28 (Sat.), at Binghamton*, 7:00.

April
1 (Wed.), Hartford, 7:00;
4 (Sat.), at Johns Hopkins, 12:00 (ESPNU);
11 (Sat.), UMBC*, 1:00;
17 (Fri.), at Syracuse, 7:00;
19 (Sun.), at Vermont*, 1:00;
25 (Sat.), at Stony Brook*, 7:00;
30 (Thu.), America East Semifinals+.

May

2 (Sat.), America East Championship+.

+played at highest seed’s home facility