Delaware Women's Lacrosse Announces Challenging 2012 Schedule; Slate Includes Three 2011 NCAA Tournament Opponents
December 7, 2011
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File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
NEWARK, Del. -- Continuing her mantra that to be the best, you have to play the best, second-year University of Delaware women’s lacrosse coach Kateri Linville has announced the team’s schedule for the 2012 season.
The 2012 slate will feature three opponents that reached the 2011 NCAA Division I tournament, including national runner-up and perennial power University of Maryland.
“As a program, we know that there are two roads into the NCAA tournament,” said Linville, whose first team went in 8-9 in 2010 and missed a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament by just one game. “One road goes through our conference championship. One road goes through non-conference wins. We know we are the underdog and we are excited to go after and beat the best.”
Among the Hens' top returning players are senior Gracie Wills, junior Angela Biciocchi, and a trio of talented sophomores in Chelsea Fay, Bridget Burns (at right), and Alex Alois.
Delaware, for the second time, will open the 2012 season at home with an exhibition game against an international team, this year, hosting the Wales National Team. The game will be hosted in Delaware Stadium on Feb. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Delaware will kickoff the season on the road, heading to College Park, Md. on Feb. 16 to face Maryland, which reached the NCAA finals in 2011 and was crowned national champion in 2010.
The Hens play their home opener at Delaware Stadium, the team’s second season in the 22,000-seat venue, on Feb. 22 against nearby foe Villanova at 4 p.m. The Hens remain at home for their next game on Feb. 25 with Lehigh at 3 p.m. before closing the month with a trip to the nation’s capital to face Georgetown on Feb. 29.
The Hens will open March with a three-game home stand, beginning with La Salle on Mar. 3 and following with UMBC on Mar. 7, and Penn State on Mar. 10. Delaware then finishes the month on the road with a Mar. 14 meeting at 2010 NCAA qualifier Loyola (Md.), a Mar. 17 date with Temple in Philadelphia, and a trip west to take on the University of Denver on Mar. 28.
Delaware then opens CAA play on the road, making the short trek to Towson on Apr. 1. The Hens will make a two-game swing in Virginia, first squaring off with Old Dominion on Apr. 6 followed by a matchup with William & Mary on Apr. 8.
The Hens return home on Apr. 13 to face local rival Drexel before heading back on the road, this time to Hempstead, N.Y. to face the Pride of Hofstra on Apr. 15. Rounding out the 2012 regular season at home, Delaware welcomes 2011 CAA champion James Madison on Apr. 20 and George Mason on Apr. 22.
“The CAA is one of the toughest leagues,” said Linville. “We have a lot of parity across our conference teams. If you like competition, then you love the Colonial. There is always something on the line. Every team is always gunning for a victory.”
The eight CAA teams will be vying for four spots in the conference tournament. The league semifinals and finals will be played at the site of the highest seed on Apr. 27 and 29 respectively.
AGATE:
2012 University of Delaware Women’s Lacrosse Schedule:
February 13 vs. Wales National Team (Exhibition), 9:30 a.m.; 16, at Maryland, 4 p.m.; 22, vs. Villanova, 4 p.m.; 25, vs. Lehigh, 3 p.m.; 29, at Georgetown, 4 p.m.
March 3, vs. La Salle, 3 p.m.; 7, vs. UMBC, 4 p.m.; 10, vs. Penn State, 12 noon; 14, at Loyola (Md.), 6 p.m.; 17, at Temple, 1 p.m.; 28, at Denver, 7 p.m.
April 1, at *Towson, 1 p.m. 6, at *Old Dominion, 7 p.m.; 8, at *William & Mary, 1:30 p.m.; 13, vs. *Drexel, 5 p.m.; 15, at *Hofstra, 1 p.m.; 20, vs. *James Madison, 3 p.m.; 22, vs. *George Mason, 1 p.m.; 27-29, Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, tba.Zx
May 12-13, NCAA 1st/2nd Rounds; 19-20, NCAA Quarterfinals; 25-27, NCAA Semifinals & Finals at Stony Brook.
*=Colonial Athletic Association Games
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