2008 VCU FIELD HOCKEY SCHEDULE RELEASED
RICHMOND, Va. – Visits to four NCAA Tournament teams, including 2005 and 2006 National Champion Maryland highlight the 2008 Virginia Commonwealth University field hockey schedule, released Tuesday.

"This year's schedule is going to be a true test to our level of hockey,” Said VCU Head Coach Kelly McQuade. “The team performed very well this spring and showed drastic improvements in their skills. I am excited to see how we can come together with our freshmen to conquer this challenging schedule."

The Rams kick off their 19-match slate Aug. 29 with a trip to Fairfield. VCU’s first home contest will take place Sept. 13, when it plays host to Saint Joseph’s at Cary Street Field.

The Black and Gold visit NCAA Tournament invitee Virginia Sept. 18, while a trip to College Park, Md. to meet Maryland follows Oct. 30.

Additionally, VCU will log its normal eight-game stint in the hotly contested Colonial Athletic Association. The Rams travel to CAA defending champion James Madison Oct. 17 and Old Dominion Oct. 26. Both schools made the NCAA field of 16 in 2007.

VCU was 5-13 a year ago, McQuade’s first at the helm. The Rams return second team All-CAA and rising senior defender Megan Sauder (Lititz, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite), as well as second-leading scorer and rising sophomore Merel Kroon (Amstelveen, The Netherlands).