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The High Point Panthers are the eighth Division I team to unveil their 2018 schedule and the first Southern Conference team to do so. The Panthers had a disappointing 4-10 record and missed the conference tournament for the first time in program history (they were an independent team in 2013).
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
High Point’s 2018 Schedule
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
| 1/20 | High Point | North Carolina | Scrimmage | |
| 1/27 | Johns Hopkins | High Point | Scrimmage | |
| 2/8 | High Point | Duke | 10-5 L | |
| 2/13 | High Point | Georgetown | 9-3 W | |
| 2/17 | Maryland | High Point | 19-5 L | |
| 2/20 | Virginia | High Point | 18-12 L | |
| 2/24 | High Point | St. John's | 15-6 W | |
| 3/3 | High Point | Robert Morris | 9-7 L | |
| 3/17 | Bellarmine | High Point | SoCon | 7-5 L |
| 3/24 | High Point | Richmond | SoCon | 12-4 L |
| 3/31 | Jacksonville | High Point | SoCon | 13-9 W |
| 4/7 | High Point | Furman | SoCon | 13-8 L |
| 4/13 | VMI | High Point | SoCon | 11-5 W |
| 4/21 | High Point | Air Force | SoCon | 16-11 L |
| 4/28 | Mercer | High Point | SoCon | 13-12 L/OT |
The schedule is nearly the same as their 2017 slate. The only exception is Providence, who does not show up on this year’s group of games. High Point chose not to replace the Friars with a new opponent.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Non Conference Game: vs. Virginia
For the first time in the short series, the Cavaliers travel to North Carolina to take on the Panthers. The previous two meetings have been close, with High Point upsetting the then-10th ranked Wahoos in 2016, before Lars Tiffany’s crew beat the High Point by six. Midweek games can produce some surprising results, so hopefully we can enjoy some very good lacrosse.
Best Conference Game: @ Richmond
The Spiders lose a lot of contributors from last year’s team, especially on defense. The Panthers have only defeated the Spiders twice in program history, including their last victory in the 2015 SoCon Championship. They could get their second SoCon win of the season in Virginia and get off to a great start in conference play.
Under The Radar Game: @ Robert Morris
The two teams battled in North Carolina last year, with the Colonials taking a 9-7 win. This year’s game shifts to Moon Township, and should set up to be a good game that helps the Panthers prepare for SoCon play a week later against Bellarmine.
Possible Upset: @ Duke
An early season Duke loss? I mean, it’s happened before, just look at Air Force last year. Now the Falcons were better than the Panthers, but two of their last three meetings were decided by five goals or less. If the Blue Devils, a national champion contender, falls to High Point, I hope we get some good John Danowski soundbites on The Season.