Rutgers Women's Lacrosse Releases 2009 Schedule
Oct 10 | Women's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers women's lacrosse team released its 2009 schedule, head coach Laura Brand-Sias announced Friday. The Scarlet Knights will face six teams that reached the 2008 NCAA Tournament, including three-time defending national champion Northwestern, as well as a BIG EAST slate that includes newcomers Cincinnati and Louisville.
"Our 2009 season is very competitive," said Brand-Sias. "As always, we will compete against some of the elite teams in the country through our BIG EAST schedule. With the addition of Louisville and Cincinnati, the BIG EAST promises to be a very exciting league. Our non conference schedule is no different. We continue to set ourselves up against the best competition possible in order to prepare for our season goals."
RU opens its season with two consecutive road games, at 2008 NCAA Tournament squad Temple (Feb. 25) and perennial tournament program Cornell (Feb. 28). The Scarlet Knights host their first match on March 4, against NCAA quarterfinal team and in-state rival Princeton, followed by a home game against Delaware on March 7.
Rutgers then embarks on a tough three-game road trip, facing St. Josephs (March 11), three-time national champion Northwestern (March 14) and 2008 NCAA Tournament team Notre Dame (March 17). RU returns home for four consecutive home matches, against Denver (March 20), Hofstra (March 23), Loyola (March 27) and NCAA Tournament squad Georgetown (March 29).
The Scarlet Knights then take their last road trip of the 2009 season with four away games, including three BIG EAST matches. RU will travel to face conference foes Louisville (April 3) and Cincinnati (April 5), before returning to New Jersey to face in-state rival Monmouth (April 8). After facing Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., RU will close out its season with defending BIG EAST Champion and 2008 NCAA semifinalist Syracuse on April 18.
The 2009 BIG EAST Championship will take place at Georgetown from April 24 - April 26. The top four teams in the conference advance to the tournament. Rutgers has earned berths in the first two BIG EAST Championships, including a loss last year to the eventual champions Syracuse.
"I am excited about our potential," said Brand-Sias. "We have a hard-working and motivated group this year. That, coupled with our competition, will provide some exciting outcomes."
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | TIME |
| Wednesday, February 25 | Temple | Philadelphia, Pa. | 3:00 PM |
| Saturday, February 28 | Cornell | Ithaca, N.Y. | 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday, March 4 | PRINCETON | RU Turf Field | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 7 | DELAWARE | RU Turf Field | 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday, March 11 | Saint Joseph's | Philadelphia, Pa. | 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 14 | Northwestern | Evanston, Ill. | 1:00 PM |
| Tuesday, March 17 | Notre Dame | South Bend, Ind. | 1:00 PM |
| Friday, March 20 | DENVER | RU Turf Field | 1:00 PM |
| Monday, March 23 | HOFSTRA | RU Turf Field | 7:00 PM |
| Friday, March 27 | LOYOLA | RU Turf Field | 7:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 29 | GEORGETOWN | RU Turf Field | 2:00 PM |
| Friday, April 3 | Louisville | Louisville, Ky. | TBD |
| Sunday, April 5 | Cincinnati | Cincinnati, Ohio | 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday, April 8 | Monmouth | West Long Branch, N.J. | 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | Connecticut | Storrs, Conn. | 1:00 PM |
| Saturday, April 18 | SYRACUSE | Yurcak Field | 2:00 PM |
| Friday, April 24 | BIG EAST Tournament | Washington, D.C. | |
| Saturday, April 25 | BIG EAST Tournament | Washington, D.C. | |
| Sunday, April 26 | BIG EAST Tournament | Washington, D.C. |
