Fairfield University head men's lacrosse coach Andy Copelan announced the Stags 13-game 2009 slate today.  The Stags schedule has six home games, six non-conference contests and has two teams that appeared in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

"We have compiled a strong schedule that provides us a challenge every time we step foot on the field," said Copelan.  "I think that the home portion of our schedule provides our fans with an opportunity to see us compete with some of the elite program's in the nation, which includes three ECAC opponents."

The Stags will open the season at home versus Delaware on Feb. 21.  It will mark the fourth meeting between the Stags and the Colonial Athletic Association member Blue Hens, who posted nine victories a season ago, and advanced to the 2007 Final Four.  The first road game, a week later, renews the Stags rivalry with Ohio State University.  The Buckeyes posted 11 wins a season ago and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

Fairfield begins its fourth season as a member of the ECAC Lacrosse League at home on March 7 with Rutgers.  That marks the only home league game until the final two contests of the season, when the Stags will host UMass, April 21, and St. John's, April 25.  Fairfield will travel to Penn State on March 21, Hobart, March 28, Georgetown, April 4 and Loyola, April 18, to round out league play.  The regular season ECAC champion earns an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament.

The Stags follow up the ECAC opener with the program's fourth meeting with Colgate University on March 14.  The Stags lead the all-time series, 2-1, but the teams have not played since 2004, a 9-8 Stag win.  Fairfield will once again take on in-state rival Yale, this season in New Haven, on April 11.  Fairfield will also play at Marist, on March 17, and host Vermont, March 31, to round out the non-conference portion of the schedule.

The Stags will play three scrimmages to prepare for the season, hosting Penn on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m.  On January 31 the team will travel to Bucknell and on Feb. 14 the Stags will play at Lafayette.