University of Richmond Athletics
Field Hockey To Host Three NCAA Tourney Teams And Indiana At Crenshaw Field In 2009
06/09/2009 | Field Hockey
June 9, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond field hockey team's 2009 schedule will include games against five teams that appeared in last year's NCAA tournament.
With 10 home games, the Spiders will play three of its NCAA Tournament opponents at Crenshaw Field, including the season opener against American on Aug. 29 and contests against Virginia and James Madison.
"The 2009 schedule is the perfect blend of competitive, non conference opponents and home-field play," Richmond head coach Gina Lucido said. "Five teams on the schedule made the NCAA tournament last year and Indiana brings Big Ten exposure to Richmond."
After opening the season with home games against American and Indiana, the Spiders will play four-straight away games in September. Richmond returns home for a month-long stretch of home games, beginning with a Sept. 19 game against Monmouth University and ending with West Chester on Oct. 18. The last four regular-season games will be played on the road, against three conference opponents (Massachusetts, Saint Joseph's and Temple) and across-town rival VCU (Oct. 20).
The Spiders' Atlantic 10 competition will begin in mid-October with a game against St. Louis and conclude with a weekend in Philadelphia, Pa., playing St. Joseph's and Temple University on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Richmond will face the University of Massachusetts, the reigning A-10 champions, in Amherst, Mass., on Oct. 23.
"I am eager to see this program make our home field a noted advantage and finish with a few wins against nationally recognized teams," Lucido said. "I believe the Spiders are ready to thrive on the challenges of competitive scheduling and secure their spot at the A-10 Tournament through dominant play."
