WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Head coach Meg Decker announced the schedule for the inaugural University of Hartford women's lacrosse season on Monday. The Hawks will play a 13-game slate in their first-ever season, including six dates on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium.
 
"Our first season is our opportunity to show that we can mentally perform at an elite level," Decker said. "We talk about a couple of key things as a team ­—­­­­­­ decision making, creative problem solving and mental strength — putting emphasis on the mental side of the game, leadership development and teamwork.

"This is a year of firsts. Anytime you do something for the first time, presents challenges and opportunities. Each game of this season presents an opportunity. I believe this group of young women has what it takes to succeed in the America East, and it will be an honor to watch them take the field this season."

Click HERE to view the full schedule.
 
The Hawks are set to make history with their #FirstFlight on Saturday, Feb. 24, when they play host to Delaware State. The 11 a.m. first draw kicks off the first-ever Hartford lacrosse doubleheader, as the Hawks' men's lacrosse team begins its 2018 home schedule at 2 p.m. against Bryant.

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. Each of the women's six home dates feature complimentary admission.

"As a collegiate player, there is no moment quite like putting on your uniform for your first game," Decker Said. "The nerves, the anticipation and the hours of hard work finally all coming together. But an even greater feeling is looking around at your teammates and knowing that together, you have the opportunity to create history."

The turnaround is a quick one following the #FirstFlight, as Hartford remains home to host Saint Francis University on Monday, Feb. 26. The Hawks will also play host to one more non-conference foe – Bryant – on Saturday, March 3 at noon.

Hartford's out-of-league schedule features three road tilts, including dates with a pair of in-state opponents in Quinnipiac (Wednesday, Feb. 28) and neighboring Central Connecticut (Tuesday, March 6).

A date at LIU Brooklyn on Saturday, March 10, serves as the Hawks' final tune-up before the start of America East Conference play, which lands Hartford at UAlbany, which is coming off an at-large NCAA Tournament berth last season, on Saturday, March 24.

The seven-game conference schedule continues with consecutive home dates, beginning with a 10 a.m. contest against New Hampshire on Saturday, March 31. That tilt is the front end of a doubleheader that will also include the Hartford men's lacrosse team hosting Vermont at 1 p.m. The brief homestand concludes on Thursday, April 5, with the Hawks hosting five-time defending America East Champion and 2017 NCAA Quarterfinalist Stony Brook at 5:30 p.m.

The Hawks will be on the road for three of their final four regular season games, with the lone home game of that stretch pitting Hartford against Binghamton on Saturday, April 14, for Senior Day at 1 p.m. Prior to that contest, the Hawks head to UMass Lowell (Saturday, April 7) before concluding the regular season with back-to-back road dates at Vermont (Saturday, April 21) and UMBC (Saturday, April 28).
 
"Our players and our staff have an incredible opportunity this season, and we all know it," said Decker. "We are playing for something bigger than ourselves. We are playing for the future of our program, because we are building the foundation for Hartford women's lacrosse."

The America East Championship will be played May 4-6 at the top seed.