September 22, 2004

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech lacrosse team faces a demanding schedule during its first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The ACC has won a combined 12 national titles in 22 years. The Hokies' schedule features nine home contests, including two against ACC competition.

Tech opens the regular-season at Maryland Baltimore-County on Saturday, Feb. 26. The schedule has Tech away from Blacksburg for a stretch of four games in mid-March. Those contests will be at Ohio, at Ohio State, at James Madison and at LaSalle. They will also travel to defending national champion Virginia and Duke in April.

"I am really excited about entering the ACC," said head coach Tami Riley. "I believe our non-conference schedule will help us prepare for the level of competition we will face in the ACC."

At home, the season will be highlighted by visits from Maryland and North Carolina. The Hokies will also host Longwood, George Mason, St. Bonaventure, Howard and Bucknell in March. In April, Tech will face Davidson and Lafayette.

The first round of the ACC Tournament is Apr. 29, with the final round being May 1. The times and location of these matches have not been finalized.

During the fall season, fans will get to see scrimmages against James Madison and former lacrosse alumni on Oct. 8^th and 15^th, respectively. The Hokies will also scrimmage against Mt. St. Mary's, Howard and Richmond, but each of those matches will be away from the Virginia Tech Lacrosse Stadium.