WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Head coach Ryan Martin has announced the 2018 schedule for the University of Hartford men's lacrosse team. The 13-game regular-season slate is highlighted by five home dates on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium, including a pair of doubleheaders with the Hawks' women's lacrosse team, which begins its inaugural season this spring.

"We are very excited for the start of the season," said Martin. "Each game on our schedule this season presents a huge challenge for us, and that is something that we as a program look forward to. Our out-of-conference slate has gotten stronger this year with the additions of Harvard and Fairfield, and we feel that those tests will have us ready for America East Conference play."
 
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The second season of the Martin Era kicks off with the Hawks in Queens, N.Y., on Saturday, Feb. 17, for a date with BIG EAST member St. John's at 1 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the Hawks and the Red Storm since 2006.

One week after the season opener, Hartford opens the home portion of its schedule on Saturday, Feb. 24, against Bryant – a 2017 NCAA Tournament team – at 2 p.m. The tilt marks the first lacrosse doubleheader in Hartford history, as the Hawks' women's team hosts Delaware State at 11 a.m. in the program's inaugural season opener. Admission for both games is free, and there will be a pregame tailgate to celebrate the start of the seasons in the parking lot adjacent to Alumni Stadium, beginning at 9 a.m.

Following the home opener, the Hawks hit the road for their next four games. Spanning 19 days, the longest road trip of the season lands Hartford at Fairfield (Feb. 27), Harvard (March 3), Sacred Heart (March 10) and UMass (March 17).

A visit from local foe Quinnipiac on Tuesday, March 20 (3 p.m.) marks the Hawks' final game before the start of America East action, which opens with the team at Stony Brook on Saturday, March 24. Hartford is also slated to visit UMass Lowell (April 14) and UMBC (April 21) during the conference slate.

Hartford's first America East home contest pits the Hawks against Vermont on Saturday, March 31. The 1 p.m. matchup is the backend of a doubleheader that will also include Hartford women's lacrosse hosting New Hampshire at 10 a.m. The Hawks remain home for their next game, hosting 2017 league finalist Binghamton on Saturday, April 7 (1 p.m.).

The regular season concludes at home on Saturday, April 28, at 1 p.m., as the Hawks host defending America East Champion UAlbany on Senior Day. The top four teams in the league's regular-season standings qualify for the 2018 America East Championship, which will be hosted by the top seed beginning on Thursday, May 3.

Two of the three Hawks that received All-Conference distinction in Martin's first season highlight the returners for the upcoming season. Senior Griffin Feiner – one of two returning 100-point scorers – earned America East All-Conference First Team laurels a year ago. He is joined by three-time America East All-Conference selection Dylan Protesto, a senior who finished No. 7 in the nation in faceoff winning percentage a year ago.

Martin has created depth in nearly every position for the upcoming season with the addition of 13 newcomers, including three attackmen, six midfielders, two long-stick midfielders, one defender and one goalie. Highlighting that group of freshmen are a pair of US Lacrosse All-Americans (Christian Paley and Andre White).

Season and single-game tickets for the upcoming 2018 season will go on sale in January. Please call 860.768.HAWK (4295) or email tickets@hartford.edu for more information.