Jan. 24, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's lacrosse team recently announced its 2007 schedule, playing at least 24 games, including five games against Division I competition. This is the inaugural year for Navy's women's lacrosse team after competing on the club level for several years. Navy will not be eligible for postseason consideration in 2007, but will join the Patriot League and will become eligible for postseason play in 2008. All of Navy's home games will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, unless noted.

"We are excited to begin our transition year and we have kept some of the traditional rivals on the schedule as well as seeing some new faces," said Navy head coach Cindy Timchal. "It is just an opportunity to expose ourselves nationally and get accustomed to the Division I game. We will play some of the teams that are in the Patriot League, so it will help us as we continue to build in the future."

Navy will open its season with an exhibition contest against Heroes on Feb. 8, at 7:00 pm. The Mids' first official game in school history will take place as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 11. Navy will host Division I foes LaSalle and American at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

After competing in the University of Central Florida tournament the following weekend, Navy travels to Bucknell on Feb. 20, before returning to host the James Madison club team on Feb. 24. After a March 10 contest at Longwood, Navy returns home for a pair of games against Anne Arundel Community College and Catonsville Community College on March 19 and 24, before hosting the two-day Annapolis Navy shootout on March 31 and April 1. Teams for the tournament will be determined at a later date.

"The Orlando trip gives us the opportunity to compete against similar teams," said Timchal. "Michigan, who we will play down there, is looking to go Division I, and Florida is already in the process. It's exciting to know that we will be facing teams that are in the same boat as us."

After traveling to Howard on April 3, the Mids return home to take on the University of Maryland Club Team on Friday, April 6, at 7:00 pm. The game will be played on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy at Farragut Field, due to the men's team playing Maryland that night.

After an April 18 contest against D-I Davidson at home, the team will conclude its home schedule against an opponent to be determined on April 28.

The Mids will end the season competing in the Quad. Services Academy Tournament in Annapolis on May 5-6, then will compete in the IA Nationals in either Dallas or Denver on May 9 to May 12.

"We are playing a variety of teams for the reason of getting people excited for our program," said Timchal. "We want to put our best foot forward and treat this year as somewhat of a showcase. We are very excited about the upcoming year and it's going to be a lot of fun."

# GO NAVY #