2010 Filled With Formidable Foes for Lacrosse

By: Justin Criado

Posted: 1/27/10

As the Colonials look forward to finally competing in the NEC in 2011, their focus this season will be on making a name for themselves as they take on some of the toughest competition in the country. Last season, Robert Morris recorded its first winning season with a 9-6 record and looks to become even stronger this season by taking on teams from the Big Ten and the ACC, including Virginia and Duke, who were both participants in the 2009 NCAA final four. They will also get a taste of the NEC by taking on its future conference competitors.

With the 2010 schedule set, the competition is fierce right from the get go with a scrimmage against perennial powerhouse Duke in Durham, N.C. on Feb. 6. The regular season starts on Feb. 20 when the Colonials will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, a team that finished last season ranked 16th in USILA Division I Coach's Poll. The season-opening five-game road trip includes stops at Manhattan, Wagner and VMI ending March 6.

The Colonials will finally get their home-opener three days later on March 9 when the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Joe Walton Stadium for a 3:00pm game. After one game in Louisville, Kentucky against Bellarmine the Colonials come home for a five-game home stand. Opponents include Jacksonville on March 27, Air Force April 3, Cansisius April 6, and Bryant April 10 before closing out the home stretch with another one of last year's top-ten finishers North Carolina on April 17.

The season comes to an end with two away games against Sacred Heart on April 24 and closes out the slate May 1 with a game against one of last year's NCAA final four participants Virginia.

With the Colonials already naming their three captains and having gone through fall scrimmages, the challenge ahead is steep. Scheduling such household names as North Carolina and Virginia, the Colonials believe they are on the same level and ready to compete at the highest level. With games of such high caliber, the transition into the NEC next year has the opportunity to be much smoother and also one made with higher confidence.