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The Furman Paladins are the 16th Division I team in our 2018 schedule preview series and the fourth team from the Southern Conference. The Paladins surprised the SoCon as they shared the regular season title with Air Force and Richmond. They also had two stud freshmen in goaltender Alex Van De Bovenkamp and midfielder Lou Yovino, who made our College Crosse All-Freshman list as a First Team and Second Team choice respectively.
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
Furman’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) |
| 2/1 | Vermont | Furman | Earliest game of the college lacrosse season | 13-12 L/OT |
| 2/10 | Furman | North Carolina | 7-3 L | |
| 2/17 | Furman | Sacred Heart | at Sparks, Maryland (US Lacrosse Headquarters) | 9-8 L |
| 2/24 | Furman | Canisius | at Radnor, Pennsylvania (Radnor HS); first meeting since 2015 (9-8 W/OT) | |
| 3/3 | Denver | Furman | First meeting since 2015 (10-5 L) | |
| 3/6 | Furman | Penn State | at Washington, D.C. (Georgetown Prep HS) | 12-10 L |
| 3/17 | Richmond | Furman | SoCon | 13-4 L, 13-6 L |
| 3/24 | Furman | VMI | SoCon | 18-3 W |
| 3/31 | Furman | Mercer | SoCon | 11-10 W |
| 4/7 | High Point | Furman | SoCon | 13-8 W |
| 4/14 | Furman | Air Force | SoCon | 8-7 W |
| 4/21 | Jacksonville | Furman | SoCon | 15-9 W |
| 4/28 | Furman | Bellarmine | SoCon | 19-6 W |
The Paladins have one less game than they did last season. Michigan, Mount St. Mary’s, and Ohio State are off the schedule, while Canisius and Denver return to the schedule for the first time in three years. Furman plays in three neutral site games prior to the start of SoCon play.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Non Conference Game: vs. Vermont
Last year, the Paladins and Catamounts played on February 2. It was so good (a #WhitneyInOT finish) that they decided to do it again this year! And a day earlier! What better way to start the shortest month of the year than with the arrival of college lacrosse, and a thrilling matchup as well!
Best Conference Game: @ Mercer
This game was close from the start. Furman had the largest lead of the game twice by two goals. This game will be in Georgia this year, and the Bears are able to win some games in the SoCon and try to make it to the conference tournament.
Under The Radar Game: vs. Canisius (at Radnor HS)
I like this matchup for both teams. Canisius won’t have Jeff Edwards, but they still have attackman Connor Kearnan and goaltender Liam Ganzhorn. The Golden Griffins will be looking to take home the MAAC this year.
Possible Upset: @ Penn State
The Paladins played North Carolina and Penn State very well last year, but the Nittany Lion game was close thanks to a late run in the fourth quarter. Had the Paladin defense stood tall throughout the first three quarters, it could have possibly been a classic midweek upset. Furman should learn from their lessons from last year and make it a game.