HPU men’s lax releases 2017 spring schedule

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Head coach Jon Torpey has announced the 2017 spring schedule for the High Point University men’s lacrosse program on Tuesday.

2017 Spring Schedule

The schedule is highlighted by three trips to national powers and six contests in Vert Stadium including key Southern Conference showdowns with Richmond and Air Force.

“Our 2017 schedule features some of the best programs in the country led by some tremendous coaches,” Torpey said. “We are excited to see our guys rise to the challenge and compete against these great teams throughout the season.”

The Panthers open their demanding slate by traveling to Durham, N.C. to take on Duke on Saturday, Feb 11. Three days later, the squad will play its home-opener against Georgetown (Tues., Feb. 14). That midweek clash will be the first meeting between the Purple & White and the Hoyas.

Four days later, the tough early stretch continues with a showdown against 2016 National runner-up Maryland in College Park, Md. Last spring, the Panthers led the Terrapins 6-4 at the half before falling 15-10 at Capital One Field.

A week later, High Point will host another new opponent on Saturday, Feb. 25 when the St. John’s Red Storm pays its first visit to the Triad.

Then, the Panthers will make a return trip to Charlottesville, Va. on Wednesday, March 1 to take on Virginia. Last spring, HPU earned its first win over a top 10 opponent when it upset the No. 10 Cavaliers 13-12 in overtime.

The following Sunday (March 5), HPU will play host to Robert Morris. The Panthers are 2-0 all-time against the Colonials after winning 15-10 in Moon Township, Pa. last year and 13-10 at home in 2015.

From there, the Purple & White will wrap up the non-conference slate with a visit to Providence on Saturday, March 11. The Friars came to the Triad in 2016 and fell to the Panthers by a score of 12-11.

Conference play begins for HPU the following weekend in Lexington, Va. against VMI on Friday, March 17. The Panthers are 4-0 all-time against the Keydets after a 20-6 triumph last spring.

Then, it’s the Spider’s turn to visit High Point as Richmond enters Vert Stadium on Sunday, March 25. The Spiders and Panthers have met twice each of the past three seasons with UR holding a 4-2 edge in the series after taking both contests in 2016.

To open April, HPU makes back-to-back weekend trips to Mercer (Sat., April 1) and Bellarmine (Sat., April 8) both of which lost to the Panthers in Vert Stadium in 2016.

After returning home, High Point will host Furman (Sat., April 15) before finishing the road portion of the schedule at Jacksonville (Sat., April 22). The Panthers won at Furman last season (10-5) and bested JU at home (14-10).

The regular season finale comes on Saturday, April 29 against the league’s defending champions in the Air Force Academy. In their first season in the SoCon, the Falcons ran through the conference undefeated and won the conference tournament as well.

Once again, the top four teams in the SoCon will advance to the conference tournament held in Richmond, Va. on May 4-6. High Point and Richmond are the only two teams to make each of the first three conference tournaments.

Series Histories:
Duke: HPU trails 0-2 | Lost, 6-17 on Feb. 12, 2016
Georgetown: First Meeting
Maryland: HPU trails 0-1 | Lost 15-10 on Feb. 20, 2016
St. John’s: First Meeting
Virginia: HPU leads 1-0 | Won 12-11 (OT) on Feb. 23, 2016
Robert Morris: HPU leads 2-0 | Won 15-10 on Feb. 27, 2016
Providence: HPU leads 1-0 | Won 13-12 on March 12, 2016
VMI: HPU leads 3-0 | Won 20-6 on April 30, 2016
Richmond: HPU trails 2-4 | Lost 6-17 on May 5, 2016
Mercer: HPU leads 3-2 | Won 15-10 on April 3, 2016
Bellarmine: Tied 2-2 | Won 13-7 on April 9, 2016
Furman: HPU leads 3-0 | Won 10-5 on April 23, 2016
Jacksonville: HPU leads 4-1 | Won 14-10 on April 16, 2016
Air Force: HPU trails 1-2 | Lost 4-13 on March 19, 2016