truebluefan

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Head Coach Jeff Shirk and the VMI lacrosse program has announced their upcoming schedule for the 2008 season. The Keydets will face an early challenge with five of their first six contests being played on the road; include matchups with three teams ranked in the top-25 of the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll.

"I am excited with our schedule and the early season challenges it entails," commented Shirk, who is in his second season with the Keydets. I believe that playing a difficult out of league schedule will make us better in the league because it exposes the team to a high competition, high stress, and high stakes environment. The same environment that we will face in our league games as we push to win the MAAC and qualify for the NCAA Tournament."

The Keydets kick off the 2008 season with back-to-back matches against ranked opponents. In their opener, VMI will travel to Annapolis, Md. to take on the 9th-ranked Navy Midshipmen on Feb. 9 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

The following Saturday, the Keydets will be in West Point, N.Y. as they battle #23 Army at Michie Stadium. Things don't let up much as VMI will travel to Louisville, Ky. to face a tough Bellarmine team on Saturday, Feb. 23.

On Tuesday, February 27 the Keydets will open their 2008 home schedule, which consists of five games, when they welcome in Presbyterian College for a 3:30 game on the Sprinturf Field.

However, VMI hits the road again for two more away contests just a week later as they square off with #3 Virginia on March 4 at Klöckner Stadium followed by a matchup with Robert Morris on March 8 in Moon Township, Pa.

Next, the Keydets will open 2008 MAAC conference play with three of four at home in Foster Stadium. First up in conference play is Marist on March 15 at 1 p.m. And following a conference road game at Providence (3/22), VMI will battle the Wagner Seahawks (3/29) and the St. Joe's Hawks (4/5) back at Foster Stadium with both games facing off at 1 p.m.

The next two weekends will be split between Loudonville, N.Y. and Lexington, Va., as VMI will face conference pre-season favorite Siena on Wednesday, march 12 in Upstate New York before returning home to battle Canisius College on April 19. The Canisius game, which will begin at 1 p.m., is also slated for Senior Day.