Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech lacrosse team released its 2011 schedule on Wednesday, and the Hokies will once again face a challenging slate as they have to compete in the treacherous Atlantic Coast Conference, which annually ranks at least four of its six members in the nation’s top 20. The talented quartet of Virginia, Maryland, Duke and North Carolina all advanced to at least the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, while North Carolina ended its season in the semifinals and Maryland claimed its 10th national championship.
The 2011 season will begin with three straight road games for the Hokies, as they travel to High Point, Presbyterian College and Davidson before opening a three-game home stretch by closing out the month of February with George Mason and later opening the month of March by hosting James Madison and George Washington. Presbyterian College was Tech’s first win of the season last year and the Hokies will be looking for revenge against George Washington after barely dropping the road contest last season. James Madison will provide an early challenge for Tech, as the Dukes participated in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in 2010.
The Hokies will next travel to the nation’s capital to face American in a mid-week clash and then return home to open conference play with Boston College, who Tech defeated the last time the teams matched up in Blacksburg.
Road games at Duke, William & Mary and Liberty, as well as a home game against Old Dominion will close out the month of March for the Hokies and allow time to prepare for notoriously talented ACC foes, North Carolina and Virginia. Tech will host the Tar Heels before traveling to Charlottesville less than seven days later to battle with the Cavaliers.
The Hokies will make their final road trip of the season as they trek to Bethlehem, Pa., to take on Lehigh before closing out the regular season at home, with Longwood and defending national champion Maryland.
Tech will close out the 2011 season with a trip to Cary, N.C., to participate in the ACC Tournament during the final days of April.