Baltimore, Md - UMBC head men’s lacrosse coach Don Zimmerman today announced the Retrievers’ 2012 schedule which features seven home contests in a 12-game slate.
The Retrievers leave the state only once before an April 7 date at America East foe Vermont. UMBC opens the campaign on Sat., Feb. 18 when they entertain Robert Morris at 1:00 p.m. It will be the first meeting ever between the Retrievers and the Colonials.
After a Feb. 26 date at Rutgers, UMBC returns to the Baltimore area for six consecutive games. Zimmerman’s club with host another first-time opponent in Fairfield on Saturday., March 3, then welcome 2011 national finalist Maryland on Tuesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.
UMBC will then play Johns Hopkins at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium in the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic on Saturday, March 10.
The Retrievers have a rare weekend off before entertaining Loyola (Md.) on Saturday, March 24. The contest with the Greyhounds will be the first between the two schools since 2005.
America East Conference play opens on Saturday, March 31 when defending league champion Hartford visits UMBC Stadium on Saturday, March 31. The Retrievers conclude the non-conference portion of the slate at Towson on Wednesday, April 4 before playing the final four regular season games against league rivals.
“It is a challenging and diverse schedule, playing teams representing the NEC, Big East, ECAC, ACC, Colonial as well as an independent in Johns Hopkins,” Zimmerman said. “That competition will prepare us well for the America East Conference, which continues to develop into one of the most competitive conferences in lacrosse."
Notes: There are four lacrosse “double-headers” at UMBC Stadium- on March 3, March 24, March 31, and April 14… The final three are day-night affairs with the women playing at noon and the men going under the lights at 7:00 p.m…. The meeting vs. Maryland will be No. 35 between the two schools, while Loyola and UMBC will face off for the 30th time and Towson and the Retrievers meet for the 43rd time… UMBC will seek its ninth America East Tournament berth in nine league seasons in 2012… The Retrievers have never been below the .500 mark in league play since starting AEC competition in 2004.