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Yesterday, Marquette announced the women's lacrosse 2014 schedule. It's MU's second season as a Division 1 program, and after playing last year as an independent, Marquette will be a full member of the Big East this season.
The shift in membership in the Big East has largely not affected women's lacrosse. As Marquette officially joins the league after playing each member in a non-conference match last year, Loyola (MD) and Notre Dame have departed for the Patriot League and the ACC respectively. This means that in addition to regular Big East opponents Georgetown and Villanova, MU will still see Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, and Rutgers this season, and with the American Athletic Conference not sponsoring women's lacrosse, Temple joins the Big East as well.
MU will open the season in Maryland on Saturday, February 15th against Johns Hopkins. It will be the first of four straight matches on the road top open the season, as Marquette follows that up with trips to national power Northwestern, first year program Michigan's first ever home game, and Detroit Mercy. You'll remember the Titans from Marquette's first ever home win last year.
The Golden Eagles open their home schedule on Friday, March 7, with a rematch of last year's home opener against Duquesne. They'll follow that up by hosting fellow second year program Coastal Carolina on Wednesday, March 12. MU earned their first ever win against the Chanticleers in double overtime last season.
Marquette opens the Big East schedule at home against Cincinnati on Friday, March 28. This will also be Marquette's game in support of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The Golden Eagles raised over $10,000 for the PCAN last season. MU's first road match in the Big East will be against Saturday, April 5, as they take on probable league favorite Georgetown.
Marquette will close the seven game Big East schedule on Thursday, April 24, with a trip to Louisville, before heading home for one final non-conference match against USC. The top four teams in the Big East will qualify for the Big East tournament, which will be hosted by Georgetown.
You can check out the full schedule here.