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The Richmond Spiders are the 49th team in our 2018 schedule preview series and the seventh team from the SoCon. The Spiders made it back to the SoCon Championship for the third straight season, but lost to Air Force for the second consecutive year.
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
Richmond’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) |
| 1/27 | Navy/Christopher Newport (D3) | Richmond | Scrimmages | |
| 2/3 | Richmond | Loyola | Scrimmage | |
| 2/10 | Richmond | UMBC | 10-5 W | |
| 2/17 | Bucknell | Richmond | First ever meeting | |
| 2/20 | Mount St. Mary's | Richmond | 10-7 W | |
| 2/24 | Richmond | Notre Dame | First ever meeting | |
| 3/3 | Richmond | Duke | 9-8 L | |
| 3/10 | Richmond | VMI | SoCon | 13-8 W |
| 3/14 | North Carolina | Richmond | 6-5 W | |
| 3/17 | Richmond | Furman | SoCon | 13-4 W, 13-6 W |
| 3/24 | High Point | Richmond | SoCon | 12-4 W |
| 3/31 | Richmond | Virginia | 8-7 L | |
| 4/7 | Bellarmine | Richmond | SoCon | 13-6 W |
| 4/14 | Jacksonville | Richmond | SoCon | 13-6 W |
| 4/21 | Richmond | Mercer | SoCon | 12-9 W |
| 4/28 | Air Force | Richmond | SoCon | 9-7 L, 9-6 L |
Richmond lets go of Fairfield and Marquette and replaces them with Bucknell and Notre Dame. The Spiders play four of the five ACC teams, with Syracuse being the only exception.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Nonconference Game: @ Virginia
The Spiders continue to challenge themselves in nonconference play, including a fourth ACC opponent in Notre Dame. Does that mean a future move to the ACC for only lacrosse? More than likely not, but it’s great that Dan Chemotti isn’t taking anything easy. The Virginia game last year would’ve been a huge step forward if the team defeated the Cavaliers, but they lost by just a goal. They’re in Charlottesville this year.
Best Conference Game: vs. Air Force
If you want to be the best in the conference, you have to beat the best. And for the past two years, Air Force has had Richmond’s number. This year, there’s plenty of questions surrounding the Falcons’ program that are still unanswered. It’ll be a mystery to see who’s still on the team and who isn’t, as well as how Air Force does overall.
Under The Radar Game: vs. Bucknell
The Bison were an up-and-down team last year, finishing 5-8 after hopes of winning the Patriot League. They upset BU and Loyola, but also lost to Colgate and Mount St. Mary’s. But when they’re good, they have Will Sands and Sean O’Brien on offense, and they’re a very good duo.
Possible Upset: vs. North Carolina
Two years ago, it was Duke. Last year, it was UNC. This year, UNC again? Unlike last year, the Spiders are the home team, but they don’t have defensive anchors Brendan Hynes or Benny Pugh this year. Matter of fact, only Austin Cates returns from the starting defense. The Tar Heels have some studs on offense, but with a similar defense that the Spiders had last year, another upset might occur.
For other schedules and team rosters, check out our Men’s Division I matrix.