NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware women's lacrosse team will play two 2008 NCAA tournament teams and four conference semifinalist teams, as the Blue Hens' 2009 schedule was released on Wednesday. The schedule consists of nine home games.

Delaware, which will be led by fifth-year head coach Kim Ciarrocca, opens its season on Feb. 25 at home against Saint Joseph's. The Blue Hens then take on Loyola at home on Mar. 4 before they travel to Piscataway, N.J. to take on 2008 Big East semifinalist, Rutgers on Mar. 7. Following that game, the Hens play away again at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Starting Mar. 13, Delaware has a four-game home-stand that includes 2008 America East Tournament semifinalist, Albany (Mar. 13), UConn (Mar. 15), 2008 NCAA Tournament team, Temple (Mar. 18) and St. Bonaventure (Mar. 21). Then it's back on the road to play the University of Oregon (at Brown) on Mar. 26 and 2008 NCAA Tournament team Vanderbilt on Mar. 30, which concludes the non-league schedule.

The Colonial Athletic Association schedule begins on Apr. 3 with the Hens playing host to Old Dominion and then last year's CAA Regular Season Champion, William & Mary on Apr. 5. Delaware then travels to Philadelphia to take on Drexel on Apr. 10 before coming back to play its final home game of the year against Hofstra on Apr. 12. The Hens finish with games at James Madison (Apr. 17) and 2008 CAA Tournament semifinalist George Mason (Apr. 19).

Delaware returns all but two starters from last year's 11-6, CAA semifinal team. Emily Schaknowski, one of five returning players who started every game for the Blue Hens last year, was the leading points scorer with 56. She scored 29 goals and assisted on 27. Other key returnees include Lindsey Coon, Amanda Lahiff, Ange Gaeta and Jessica Cerveny.

Feb. 25 vs. St. Joseph's, 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 4 vs. Loyola, 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 7 @ Rutgers, 1:00 p.m.
Mar. 9 @ UMBC, tbd
Mar. 13 vs. Albany, 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 15 vs. Connecticut, 1:00 p.m.
Mar. 18 vs. Temple, 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 21 vs. St. Bonaventure, 12:00 p.m.
Mar. 26 vs. Oregon (at Brown), 1:00 p.m.
Mar. 30 @ Vanderbilt, 3:00 p.m.
Apr. 3 vs. *Old Dominion
Apr. 5 vs. *William & Mary
Apr. 10 @ Drexel, 4:00 p.m.
Apr. 12 vs. Hofstra, 1:00 p.m.
Apr. 17 @ James Madison, 3:00 p.m.
Apr. 19 @ George Mason, 1 p.m
May 1-3 CAA's @ higher seed, tba.

2008-09-18