OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Stevenson University men's lacrosse fifth-year head coach Paul Cantabene released his team's 2009 schedule on Friday, highlighted by eight home games, including Gettysburg and Lynchburg. The schedule also features five games against 2008 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship teams and six against teams that finished the season ranked in the final USILA Division III Coaches' Poll.

"We have one of the toughest schedules in the nation this year, but we want to compete against the best competition week in and week out" said Cantabene. "This will give us a great chance to compete with the top schools."

Last year, the Mustangs went 13-4 and were ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation. Stevenson returns its three All-Americans from last season in senior midfielder Greg Furshman (Miami, Fla./Towson) and junior attackmen Steve Kazimer (Syracuse, N.Y./Henniger) and Richie Ford (Baltimore/Towson).

Stevenson opens the season with three-straight games against teams that were either ranked or receiving votes in the final USILA poll and two who advanced to the NCAA championship, beginning with Widener at home on February 21. The Pride won its fourth-straight Middle Atlantic Conference title in 2008 before losing to Denison in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

The Mustangs then hit the road to face Stevens Institute of Technology who received votes in the final USILA poll before returning home to face Gettysburg on March 4. The Bullets finished last season ranked third in the nation with a17-3 record after losing to eventual national champion Salisbury 11-10 in double overtime in the NCAA semifinals. Gettysburg scored the game-winning goal with 1:44 remaining to hand Stevenson a 10-9 loss at home a year ago.

"Gettysburg, Stevens, Widener and Lynchburg will help us prepare for a tough conference schedule with Salisbury, Mary Washington and St. Mary's (Md.)," commented Cantabene.

The Mustangs open its conference schedule on the road at St. Mary's (Md.) on March 11 before hosting Mary Washington on March 14. The Seahawks finished in third place in the CAC last year, one game behind Stevenson. The game against the Eagles on March 14 also marks the first of a four-game homestand for the Mustangs which welcomes Lynchburg to the Caves Complex on March 21. The Hornets, who went 16-3 a year ago and were ranked fourth in the final USILA poll, lost to Washington (Md.) in the first round of the NCAA championship.

The Lynchburg game will be highlighted by a spring fling doubleheader with the women's team who will be hosting Catholic Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. Conference games against Wesley and York (Pa.) set the stage for Stevenson's trip to two-time defending national champion and No. 1-ranked Salisbury on April 4 for the renewal of its heated rivalry with the Sea Gulls.

The Mustangs held a 12-10 lead over undefeated and top-ranked Salisbury at home on Apr. 5, 2007 before the Sea Gulls scored the final three goals of the game to escape with a 13-12 victory en route to a 22-0 record.

"Salisbury is our top rival and has been the top team in the CAC since its inception," said Cantabene. "Our goal every year is to beat them, win a conference title and to play for a national championship."

After Salisbury, Stevenson concludes its regular season home schedule with back-to-back games against Marymount (Va.) and Hood before heading into the CAC Men's Lacrosse Championship beginning April 13. Following the conference championship on April 19, the Mustangs round out the regular season with a road trip to Denison on May 2. The Big Red went 14-3 last season and finished the year ranked at No. 12 after losing to Gettysburg in the NCAA quarterfinals.

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2008-10-30