March 15, 2008

2008 RICHMOND FIELD HOCKEY SCHEDULE

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The 2008 Richmond field hockey team will play five teams that made the 2007 NCAA Tournament team as the Spiders look to make their sixth NCAA appearance in the last seven years.

Richmond will play four NCAA Tournament teams in the non-conference schedule, including a three-game stretch against Virginia, Old Dominion and James Madison. The Spiders also play the 2005 and 2006 National Champion Maryland Terrapins to round out non-conference play on Sept. 28.

"The 2008 season schedule brings another opportunity to seize national recognition and test ourselves against some of the best program's in the country," Richmond head coach Gina Lucido said. "The level of competition remains consistent throughout the season and will certainly test our heart as well as our talent level."

The Spiders open Atlantic 10 play with four-straight home games sandwiched around a non-conference match-up with city-rival VCU on Oct. 15. Richmond opens conference play on Oct. 10 against 2007 Atlantic 10 Champion Massachusetts. The Spiders had won five-straight A-10 titles before losing in the semifinals last season.

"The expectation in 2008 is to reclaim the A-10 Championship crown and play competitively outside of our conference schedule," Lucido said. "I believe in the renewed commitment from this group of players, as they are training this spring to deserve success in the fall."