Fairfield University announced its 13-game 2008 men’s lacrosse schedule this afternoon, including six home contests.  The announcement was made by head coach Ted Spencer, who returns for his 13th season at the helm of the program.  The Stags slate features three teams that qualified for the 2007 NCAA Tournament, four top-20 teams from a year ago, and two other squads that received votes in the final poll of the season.

“We are excited about the strength of the schedule that we have prepared for the 2008 season,” said Spencer.  “Our non-conference slate is very competitive and the ECAC promises to be as strong as ever, providing our student-athletes and program a solid challenge.”

Fairfield will open the campaign on the road against NCAA Tournament participant Providence College on Feb. 23.  The Stags now hold a 9-3 series lead after defeating the Friars 6-5 on opening day in 2007.  The home opener is on the first day of March, when the Stags will host Dartmouth College.  Fairfield earned their first win over the Big Green last season, winning 11-8 on Alumni Field.

The Stags begin their third season as a member of the ECAC Lacrosse League this spring, and the conference opening opponent is a familiar one.  For the third time the Stags open ECAC play against Rutgers, this year on March 8 in Piscataway, N.J.  The Stags have won both meetings against the Scarlet Knights as league foes, including a 14-10 home win last season.  Fairfield makes a return trip to Bucknell University on March 11 looking to follow up on the 13-7 home win last year.  The season long three-game road swing finishes at Harvard University on March 15.  The Stags are 6-3 all-time against the Crimson, including three consecutive wins.
 
The Stags will return home for a pair of ECAC games beginning on Mar. 21, as Penn State University visits for a Friday game under the lights on campus.  The Nittany Lions have won each of the last two meetings in the series and lead 5-2 all-time.  The Stags then welcome Hobart College on March 29.  The Stags are 2-1 all-time against the Statesman, and 1-1 as ECAC foes, with each team winning at home the last two seasons.  A non-conference contest is next on the slate, as the Stags travel to the University of Vermont on April 1.  It marks the second meeting between the two teams, with the Stags winning 19-6 during the 2000 campaign.

Fairfield then returns home for a three-game homestand, beginning April 5 versus Georgetown University.  The Hoyas, who beat Fairfield by just one last year, finished the season fourth in the nation, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.  Fairfield and Yale University revive the in-state rivalry after a year’s hiatus, as the two teams meet on April 12.  The home finale comes against Loyola College on April 12.  Two seasons ago the Stags stunned the Greyhounds 13-12 on Lessing Field.

The regular season will wrap up with a pair of conference road games.  The Stags travel north to take on the University of Massachusetts on April 22, Spencer’s alma mater.  Fairfield wraps up the regular season at St. John’s University on April 26.  The meeting will be the fourth in the series between the team’s, with the Stags having won each of the previous three contests.