Pro lacrosse teams to play two games in Dallas

by PegNews wire

Responding to fervent please-please-oh-pretty-pleases by local lacrosse fans, NCAA Men’s lacrosse has deigned to play two games in Dallas, for the first time ever, says Inside Lacrosse magazine.

The first game is on Wednesday, March 14 between the Springfield College Pride and the SUNY-Geneseo Blue Knights. It'll be played at Episcopal School of Dallas at 7 p.m. ESD’s Boys' lacrosse head coach Kevin Barnicle petitioned Springfield, his alma mater, to come to Dallas; Springfield persuaded Geneseo to come along. Both teams have been practicing in Dallas this week. Barnicle coached the Pride for 2 years.

The second game is Navy vs. Holy Cross, on Saturday, March 17 at 12 p.m., to be played at Gerald Ford Stadium at Southern Methodist University. Both teams are in the Patriot League; Navy is the favorite to win the conference. Navy's team includes Gregory Clement, whose father, Jamey Clement, suggested to Navy head coach Richie Meade that the team come to Dallas.

Tom Fitzsimmons, U.S. Lacrosse North Texas chapter president, commented, "These games represent a significant opportunity not only for local lacrosse players and enthusiasts, but the entire state of Texas. Texas is now recognized as one of the fastest growing states for lacrosse and college coaches are actively recruiting our players at all levels of the NCAA. Both Navy and Holy Cross' coaching staffs have been represented at camps in Texas in recent years. For our referee base, this represents the first time ever that local officials will officiate an NCAA game in Texas whereas previously, officials were flown in for these games. We anticipate solid gate attendance and hopefully, show other teams that Dallas is a great place to come in March for good weather and facilities. Who knows the possibilities from there, maybe even a professional team in the Major League Lacrosse."

Posted by T.G.