There’s a new force to be reckoned with as Division I NCAA Men’s Lacrosse adds a new member to its ranks in the University of Richmond Spiders.
Over the fall season, the Spiders took part in the Play for Parkinsons tournament in Alexandria, VA. The team, led by head coach Dan Chemotti, went 0-2 on the day, but took Towson to a 9-7 final and fell to Georgetown 11-3. Corey Palmer and Mitchell Goldberg were key players in the two contests. A key to their season is to try and get their feet underneath them early.
UR will compete in the Atlantic Sun conference going up against VMI, Jacksonville, Furman, High Point and Mercer. They will first face Mercer in conference play on February 22. The Spiders will finish their season with four league games starting away at Furman, followed with two home games against High Point and Jacksonville and complete the stretch visiting VMI.
Over the past couple seasons, more and more programs have joined D1 men’s lacrosse. Michigan, Marquette, and High Point have all been the new kids on the block and are entering another season of D1 lacrosse. Each plays good competition and have shown they can run with teams. Once they get their programs feet under them, they will give teams like the Hopkins’, Maryland’s, Virginia’s, a run for their money.
Boston University (Patriot League) and Furman (Atlantic Sun) will join Richmond as the rookies. The Spiders have a lot to look forward too in regards to playing. Their coaching staff is made up of former NCAA D1 players including Loyola players Steve Layne and Paul Richards, former Greyhound coach Chemotti and volunteering for the Spiders is former Bryant Bulldog and current Charlotte Hound LSM Mason Poli. The knowledge and coaching are there to help these players grow physically and mentally both as a team and individually.
With how close they ran against Towson, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Richmond with an upset on their resume. They will be put to the test early as the Spiders open their 2014 campaign with in-state opponent Virginia coming to town on February 8.
