Moon Township, Pa. (Nov.18, 2008) ? The Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team announced its 2009 schedule and captains for the upcoming season. The 2009 season will consist of 16 contests, including nine home games. This will mark the Colonials final stint as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, as the squad will be independent in 2010 and will join the Northeast Conference in 2011.
“This is the last year in the CAA for us and we are looking forward to the challenge of leaving our mark on the way out,” said head coach Kenneth “Bear” Davis. “There are some great teams in the conference that are returning some solid players, so it will be a challenge.”
Robert Morris will face a very challenging schedule in 2009, as it takes on four teams (North Carolina, Ohio State, Hofstra and Canisius) that competed in the 2008 NCAA tournament. The squad opens up their season against North Carolina on Feb. 7 at 12:00 p.m. in Chapel Hill, N.C, takes on Ohio State on March 13 at 7:00 p.m., challenges Hofstra on March 28 at 12:00 p.m. in Hempstead N.Y. and faces Canisius on April 7 at 3:00 p.m. in Buffalo, N.Y. In the Unites States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Division I Coaches Poll North Carolina ended last year's season with a No. 9 ranking, Ohio State was ranked No.12, and Hofstra was No. 16. This will be the first meeting between the Colonials and the Tar Heels, fourth against Hofstra and the fifth consecutive contest against Ohio State and Canisius.
In addition to facing North Carolina for the first time, the Colonials will also take on another new team when the squad hosts the University of Detroit Mercy on March 7.
The Colonials will take on familiar foes in Penn State (Feb. 14), who travels to Moon Township for the first time in the program's history, Bellarmine (Feb. 21), Manhattan College (Feb. 27), VMI (March 7) and Presbyterian (March 10).
The squad starts up league play in Baltimore against Towson (March 21) and takes on Drexel in the home CAA opener on April 4. Also in the conference schedule is the University of Delaware (April 11) and Villanova (April 18).
The Colonials will get an opportunity to prepare for NEC play as they face Wagner (March 17) and current CAA foe Sacred Heart (April 25) in their final regular-season league contest, who will both be NEC opponents for RMU in 2011.
The Colonial Athletic Association Semifinals will be held on April 29 and the CAA Championship game will take place on May 2 at the site of the CAA Regular-Season Champion.
Colonial head coach Davis has named senior defenseman Dan Mulford (Lutherville, Md. / Calvert Hall), senior midfielder Dan Kerch (Chesterfield, Mo. / DeSmet) and senior midfielder Billy Conques (Fairfax, Va. / Paul VI) as the team captains this season. This will be Mulford's third time as captain for the Colonial squad.
“Mulford is a very vocal leader and does a really good job keeping the ship going straight,” said Davis. Mulford tallied 12 ground balls last season and forced eight turnovers.
“Kerch has a great passion for the program and puts forth a tireless effort that motivates his entire team,” said Davis. Kerch was one of the top scorers for the Colonials last season, earning 14 goals and four assists for 18 points. He also was credited for 27 ground balls and seven forced turnovers.
“Billy is definitely the leader by example on the team,” said Davis. “He has a motor that never stops.” Conques was attributed for eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 2008. He also added 13 ground balls and six caused turnovers.
Robert Morris returns 29 players and adds 17 newcomers to the roster that will compete in the 2009 season.
