NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware men’s lacrosse program, which has posted five straight winning seasons and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice during that period, announced its 2009 schedule Thursday.

Head coach Bob Shillinglaw, who will enter his 31st season at the helm of the Blue Hens this spring, will lead Delaware into a 15-game slate that includes six-games in Colonial Athletic Association play and games vs. 2008 NCAA Tournament participants UMBC and Hofstra.

Delaware will once again take on Saint Joseph’s in one of the first games of the season when the Hens host the Hawks on Feb. 7 at Rullo Stadium. The game will mark the earlier starting date in school history.

Other non-league games include home matchups with UMBC on Feb. 14, vs. Hartford on Feb. 28, vs. Georgetown on March 11, and vs. Lehigh on March 24. Non-league road games include Feb. 21 at Fairfield, March 6 at Albany, March 14 at Stony Brook, and March 28 at Brown.

In CAA play, the Hens will host Hofstra Apr. 4, Sacred Heart Apr. 8, and Towson Apr. 18, and will travel to Villanova March 21, Robert Morris Apr. 11, and Drexel Apr. 25.

The CAA Tournament, which includes the top four teams with games at the highest seed, will be held April 29 (semifinals) and May 2 (championship).

The Blue Hens posted a record of 9-7 a year ago and placed third in the CAA standings with 3-3 mark. Delaware fell to eventual league champion Hofstra in the semifinals. Delaware has enjoyed great success over the last five years, advancing to the national semifinals for the first time in school history in 2007 and also qualifying for the post-season in 2005.

Delaware will return five starters, including All-American attackman Curtis Dickson (at right) who ranked among the national leaders with 46 goals a year ago. Other top returning players include junior All-CAA midfielder Martin Cahill (29 goals), junior midfielder Kevin Kaminski, and sophomore CAA All-Rookie pick Pat Dowling on defense.

AGATE:

2009 University of Delaware Men’s Lacrosse Schedule:

Jan. 31, at Maryland (Scrimmage), tba; Feb. 7, vs. Saint Joseph’s, 1 p.m.; 14, vs. UMBC, 1 p.m.; 21, at Fairfield, 1 p.m.; 28, vs. Hartford, 1 p.m.

Mar. 6, at Albany, 12 noon; 11, vs. Georgetown, 7 p.m.; 14, at Stony Brook, 3 p.m.; 21, at *Villanova, 7 p.m.; 24, vs. Lehigh, 7 p.m.; 28, at Brown, 1 p.m.

Apr. 4, vs. *Hofstra, 1 p.m.; 8, vs. *Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.; 11, at *Robert Morris, 1 p.m.; 18, vs. *Towson, 1 p.m.; 25, at *Drexel, 1 p.m.; 29-2, Colonial Athletic Association Tournament at Higher Seeds.

May 9-10, NCAA 1st/2nd Rounds; May 16-17, NCAA Quarterfinals at Hofstra & Navy; 23-25, NCAA Final Four at Foxborough, Mass.

*=Colonial Athletic Association Games