BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Head coach Phil Schuman announced the 2014 lacrosse season schedule today, which includes seven Big South conference games and 11 rematches from the 2013 inaugural season.
Campbell goes into the 2014 season after posting a 6-7 record in its first year. The Camels return 12 players from its inaugural team and welcome 12 newcomers to the Creek for the team's second season.
"We are excited to announce our schedule and look forward to the challenges that year two brings our way," Schuman said. "In many ways, 2014 is year '1-B' for us. This is our first season competing with a full roster. We are able to play the game the way we would like now - up tempo. I am confident that our schedule provides a competitive balance that is appropriate for our program in year two and the timeline that we are on. We play in the Mid-Atlantic region four times this spring and we are excited to bring our brand to that area as we continue to build our program."
The preseason kicks off with a Feb. 1 exhibition match at Pfeiffer, which will serve as a tune-up two weeks before the regular season begins.
CU will be away for the first three games of the season, beginning with a road trip to Maryland and Washington, D.C. The Camels will open the regular season Feb. 14 at Navy before taking on American on Feb. 16. Campbell will meet each team for the first time in program history.
"We will open in Navy Marine Corps stadium, against the United States Naval Academy, which will be a homecoming for a lot of our players and also a challenge in starting our season against a team that finished in the top 15 nationally last year," Schuman added.
Three straight rematches from 2013 follow for the Camels, as the team travels to take on Kennesaw State on March 1. Last season, the Camels opened their inaugural season with a 21-4 victory over the Owls.
CU will open up its home slate against St. Francis on March 3 after defeating the Red Flash 8-7 at DeGol Field in 2013. Loren Day scored twice in the final two minutes to give the Camels their third win of the season.
The Camels are home again on March 7, hosting Detroit. Last season, the Camels took the match 14-13, coming back from a three-goal deficit in the second half.
On March 15, Campbell will welcome first-year program Elon to the Creek in the Camels' final home game before Big South play begins.
CU is away for the next two games, taking on George Mason March 21 and St. Joseph's two days later. The Camels will face the Patriots for the first time before trying to avenge last season's 9-1 loss to the Hawks in Buies Creek.
Campbell opens Big South play April 4 against Liberty at Barker-Lane Stadium. The Camels fell to the Flames 8-6 in a tight match in Lynchburg last season.
The Camels will play Davidson three days later on April 7 at home after taking an 18-3 loss to the Wildcats in 2013. On April 11, CU will host Winthrop, as it tries to bounce back from a 15-10 loss in Rock Hill last season.
CU hits the road for a Sunday tilt on April 13 at Longwood. The Lancers defeated the Camels 24-12 in the Creek last year to open up the inaugural year of Big South lacrosse.
Campbell will round out its 2014 home slate April 16 against St. Mary's College.
The Camels finish the 2014 regular season with three conference games on the road. CU goes to Presbyterian April 19, followed by trips to High Point and Coastal Carolina on April 21 and 27. Last season, the Camels defeated the Blue Hose 16-13 in Buies Creek for the team's first Big South win of the season. CU fell to High Point 20-2 at Barker-Lane before taking a 13-12 overtime loss to Coastal Carolina to end the 2013 season.
The Big South tournament will be held May 2-4, with the semifinals and finals hosted by the regular season No. 1 seed.
