DETROIT (12/12/2017) -- Eight games in the state of Michigan, five match-ups with teams that made the NCAA Tournament a year ago and hosting the Midwest Lacrosse Classic are all on the docket as the University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse team unveiled its 2018 schedule on Tuesday.
The five NCAA Tournament teams that the Titans will battle are Air Force, Marquette, Monmouth, Notre Dame and Ohio State and three of those games will be at home or in the Metro Detroit area (Air Force, Marquette, Ohio State).
"This is one of the best schedules in our history, especially at home," said head coach
Chris Kolon '09 (MBA). "We have a great home schedule with Air Force, Marquette and Ohio State all in the non-conference, which will be great for our fans."
The Titans will begin the season with three-straight road games starting with perennial lacrosse power and Midwest-rival Notre Dame on Feb. 11. After that, Detroit Mercy will visit Mercer (Feb. 18) and Jacksonville (Feb. 21).
The home schedule will start with Marquette coming to town on Feb. 24 in a contest that will be held at Wisner Stadium in Pontiac.
Wisner Stadium will also be the site of the Midwest Lacrosse Classic as the Titans welcome Bellarmine, Marquette and Ohio State. Detroit Mercy will open the event versus Bellarmine on March 2 and close out the classic with the Buckeyes on March 4. The event will also have the Golden Eagles face the Knights and OSU.
"Wisner is a historic stadium and to play Marquette as well as host the Midwest Lacrosse Classic with the teams we have coming will be unbelievable," added coach Kolon.
The first game at Titan Field will feature the Air Force Academy on March 11 before MAAC play begins with Marist on March 17. That day will be the lone lacrosse doubleheader of the season as the women's team will play Duquesne.
Three more home games are on the slate against Quinnipiac (April 1), Siena (April 21) and the regular-season finale versus Cleveland State (April 28).
The MAAC Championship will be held at Monmouth from May 3-5 with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Titans return over 25 players from last year's team including senior midfielder
Charlie Hayes, junior
Matthew Vangalen and sophomore
Alex Akins along with
Seth Mendell, who made the All-Freshman Team.
