Nov. 13, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland women's lacrosse team has once again assembled a challenging slate for the 2009 season as the Terps face seven teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Terps beginplay with a pair of exhibition contests against the U.S. National Team in Florida on February 1 before heading to Richmond on February 15th for the season opener.

After returning from Richmond, Maryland takes on UMass Feb. 21 and will be anxious to avenge a pair of postseason losses from 2008 when they play host to Duke Feb. 28 and travel to Virginia March 6. The Blue Devils upset Maryland in the NCAA Tournament while the Cavaliers topped the Terps in the ACC semifinals.

The Terps return to the Maryland area with matches at Georgetown March 11, in College Park against New Hampshire March 15, and at Towson March 24 before heading to the annual ACC/ALC Challenge in Columbus, Ohio to battle Penn State and Ohio State. Maryland also welcomes Boston College and Stanford in the month of March and heads to James Madison March 27.

Maryland gets back to conference play with a contest against North Carolina at home on April 11 and continues the home stand with a game three days later against Johns Hopkins on April 14. Both squads will help prep Maryland for the 2009 ACC Tournament April 23-26 at Virginia Tech.

Prior to NCAA Tournament time, the Terps will play Princeton at home May 2.

"We feel we have put together a challenging schedule that in the end will prepare us for the ACC and NCAA Tournament," head coach Cathy Reese said. "The goal is for us to be playing our best lacrosse come May."

Maryland finished 18-3 last season and despite having lost 10 seniors and 8 starters, will return a strong group of letterwinners for the 2009 campaign.