EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The University of Delaware men's lacrosse squad will take part in one of the nation's premier collegiate events for the second straight year this spring when the Blue Hens take on Colonial Athletic Association foe Hofstra as part of the 2010 Konica Minolta Big City Classic at the new Meadowlands Stadium on April 10.

Delaware and Hofstra will face off in the first game at 1:00 p.m, followed by the Virginia vs. North Carolina game at 4:00 p.m. The third game will be played during prime time, with Princeton and Syracuse set to face each other at 6:30 p.m.

The six lacrosse teams involved are worthy of the big stage. North Carolina, Virginia, Syracuse, Princeton, Hofstra, and Delaware have advanced to the NCAA semifinals a combined 69 times and have won 25 NCAA championships, including the back-to-back titles Syracuse claimed the last two seasons.

Last year the inaugural Big City Classic broke the attendance record for a regular season, lacrosse-only event with 22,308 fans in Giants Stadium. The second year of the event will break new ground for the sport as the first event ever to be played at the new Meadowlands Stadium. This state-of-the-art facility will open its gates to lacrosse fans at the Big City Classic before serving as the new home for the National Football League's Giants and Jets. The Classic gives New York area sports fans a chance to get an early look at the much anticipated stadium.

Ticket packages go on sale November 12 and range from $15 to $45. All seating locations for the event are reserved. To purchase tickets, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Fans can also go online to BigCityClassic.com to download a ticket order form.

Delaware, led by head coach Bob Shillinglaw, is coming off a 5-10 record a year ago. The Hens are led by two of the most dynamic players in the Colonial Athletic Association in senior All-American attackman Curtis Dickson and senior All-CAA midfielder Martin Cahill and one of the league's top defenders in Pat Dowling. Hofstra went 11-4 last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

The Blue Hens fell to Hofstra by a 10-8 score in last year's Big City Classic game.

2009-10-21