Fairfield, Conn. – Fairfield University head women's lacrosse coach Mike Waldvogel announced the 2009 schedule today. The Stags will play a 16-game slate, highlighted by nine home contests and a six-game Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Lacrosse League slate.

"We have compiled a challenging schedule that will pit us against some of the top teams in the region," said Waldvogel, in his first season as the Stags head coach. "The schedule will give us a chance to show how far the program has come and help us towards our goals of winning the MAAC and advancing to the NCAA Tournament."

On the home slate are three in-state rivals, two of which are the opponents in the Stags first home games of the year. The Stags host Yale on Feb. 25, looking to avenge one of the squad's two losses from a season ago. On Feb. 28 the Stags will host Connecticut. The Stags will also host Sacred Heart on March 17. The Stags also host Mt. St. Mary's, Holy Cross and LIU in non-conference home action.

The home slate is also comprised of three MAAC Lacrosse League games. The Stags will have a match-up with Marist in the home league opener on April 3, a rematch of the 2008 MAAC Tournament championship game. Fairfield closes out the regular season at home with contests versus Canisius and Niagara, April 17 and 19.

Fairfield will open the 2009 season on the road at Monmouth. The Stags will also play at Lehigh, March 11, and Dartmouth, March 24, in non-conference competition. Fairfield will play MAAC foes Iona, March 27, Manhattan, March 29 and Siena, April 5, on the road. The Stags will take on ACC member Boston College in West Palm Beach, Fla., on March 4.

The MAAC Tournament will once again be hosted by Iona in New Rochelle, N.Y. The top four teams in the league's regular season standings will meet for a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament, April 24-26.

Fairfield posted a 17-2 mark a season ago, winning the MAAC regular season crown with a perfect 6-0 mark. The Stags 17 game win streak was the longest in the nation last season.

2008-11-20