UAlbany Announces 2011 Lacrosse Schedule; Syracuse & Johns Hopkins Among Opponents

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, Dec. 7 the school's men's lacrosse schedule for the 2011 season. The Great Danes will play five games against America East Conference opponents. The non-league schedule features three teams who made last year's NCAA Tournament and five consensus preseason top-20 opponents.

UAlbany begins its 12th season at the NCAA Division I level on Saturday, Feb. 26 against Drexel. The Dragons went 10-5 last year en route to advancing to the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals and are ranked among the top 20 in both preseason national polls.

The Great Danes meet defending CAA champion and NCAA participant Delaware in the home opener on Saturday, March 5 at John Fallon Field. The home schedule also features games with non-conference opponents Massachusetts, Ohio State, Marist and the first-ever meeting with Harvard on Saturday, April 2. America East-rivals Hartford (March 30) and UMBC (April 16) will also invade the Capital Region.

UAlbany also tangles with two of the most storied college lacrosse programs. The Great Danes make their annual visit to the Carrier Dome to take on Syracuse on Tuesday, March 15. The Orange, who are ranked No. 1 in the Inside Lacrosse media poll, made their 30th NCAA appearance last year after winning national titles in 2008 and 2009. Tewaaraton Award finalist Joel White is among the returnees. ESPNU will televise the Johns Hopkins-UAlbany clash on Friday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Jays have reached the NCAA field a record-setting 39 consecutive times and have captured nine national championships.

In addition, the Great Danes have non-conference road dates versus Bucknell, a Patriot League program ranked No. 20 in the Inside Lacrosse preseason poll, and against Capital Region-rival Siena. The Saints and UAlbany will square off for the 33rd time, including ninth at the Division I level.

Scott Marr is in his 11th season as head coach. Marr, who has an 85-69 career record, has led the program to four America East championships and four NCAA appearances. The Great Danes, who advanced to the conference tournament championship game last year, return six of their top eight scorers, including preseason All-America Brian Caufield. Goalkeeper John Carroll had a .514 save percentage in 16 starting assignments.

2011 University at Albany Men's Lacrosse Schedule

February - 26 (Sat.), at Drexel, 1:00.

March - 5 (Sat.), Delaware, 3:00; 8 (Tue.), Massachusetts, 3:00; 12 (Sat.), Ohio State, 12:00; 15 (Tue), at Syracuse, 7:00; 22 (Tue), Marist, 7:00; 26 (Sat.), at Bucknell, 1:00; 30 (Wed.), Hartford*, 3:30.

April - 2 (Sat.), Harvard, 1:00; 8 (Fri.), at Johns Hopkins, 7:30; 10 (Sun.), at Vermont*, 3:00; 16 (Sat.), UMBC*, 7:00; 23 (Sat.), at Stony Brook*, 7:00; Apr. 26 (Tue.), at Siena, 5:00; Apr. 30 (Sat.), at Binghamton*, 7:00.

May - 4 (Wed.), at America East Conference Tournament+; 7 (Sat.), at America East Conference Tournament+.

*America East Conference Opponent +Player at Highest Seed's Home Facility
All Times Eastern

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information