Williamsburg, KY – After being limited to just five games last season due to the pandemic, the Patriots men's lacrosse team is eager to kick off their season in two weeks.  Friday UC Head Coach Pete Campbell announces their 2021 schedule that features 11 games, five of which will take place at the UC Lacrosse Complex. 

"We are excited to get back out on the field and compete," said Campbell.  "We are once again facing tough competition throughout the season to help prepare us for the postseason."

For the fifth time in the program's six-year history, Cumberlands will open the season on the road. This time it'll be a new test for UC as they travel to Babson Park, FL to take on Webber, which opens its inaugural season February 13. It will be the third time in the last four years that the Patriots have begun the season with an AAC conference game. One day later, the Patriots will head south to face third-ranked Keiser for the third consecutive season.  Each team has won on the road and for UC it'll be the first of seven games against teams that we're mention in the NAIA Top-10 poll.
 
Cumberlands returns to the Bluegrass state in late February for a pair of home games.  The Patriots home opener is set for February 21, when they welcome St. Andrews for a conference game.  It'll be the first meeting between these two schools since April 6, 2017.  Later that week, UC host (RV) Siena Heights in a rematch of the 2020 season opener in which they won in an 11-10 overtime thriller.  Dylan Crouch netted the golden goal with 1:38 remaining in the first overtime.

In March, the Patriots will hit the road three times beginning with sixth-ranked Indiana Tech on March 1.  After returning home to face (RV) Lourdes on March 13, UC down 75 for a pair of AAC matchups against Point (March 17) and (RV) Tennessee Wesleyan on March 23.  

UC closes out the month with one of the most anticipated games of the season as the Patriots welcome top-ranked Reinhardt to Williamsburg on March 27.  The last time these two teams meet at the UC Lacrosse Complex was back on February, 19, 2019 when Cumberlands knocked-off Reinhardt 13-12.  Both of these teams have represented the AAC at the last two NAIA Invitational Championship.

"This is one game that we look forward to every year because we understand what's at stake and know that Reinhardt is a top-tier team," said Campbell. "I expect this year to be no different as it is a physical game that will come down to who makes the plays."

The Patriots close out their season on the road at SCAD on April 2, before returning home for the regular season finale against Montreat on April 7.  The AAC conference tournament is set for April 24-25 in Waleska,GA, while the NAIA National Invitation will be played May 5-8 in Savannah, GA.

Fans can watch all the home games here, while live stats for all home games will be available here.

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