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The Yale Bulldogs are the 51st team in our 2018 schedule preview series and the third team from the MAAC. The Bulldogs went 10-6 last year and won the Ivy League Tournament for the third straight season behind the firepower of Ben Reeves, but lost to Syracuse by a goal in the NCAA First Round.
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
Yale’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) |
| 2/4 | Yale | Syracuse | Scrimmage | |
| 2/10 | Merrimack (D2) | Yale | Scrimmage | |
| 2/17 | Yale | Villanova | In Frisco, Texas (The Ford Center at The Star) | 16-11 W |
| 2/24 | Michigan | Yale | First meeting since 2014 (13-7 W) | |
| 2/27 | Yale | UMass | 11-9 L | |
| 3/3 | Yale | Bryant | 9-6 L | |
| 3/10 | Yale | Fairfield | 11-10 W/2OT | |
| 3/17 | Yale | Cornell | Ivy League | 17-8 W |
| 3/24 | Princeton | Yale | Ivy League | 16-13 W |
| 3/31 | Penn | Yale | Ivy League | 14-12 W, 13-12 W/4OT |
| 4/4 | Bucknell | Yale | First ever meeting | |
| 4/7 | Yale | Dartmouth | Ivy League | 13-6 W |
| 4/14 | Yale | Brown | Ivy League | 18-12 W, 10-9 W |
| 4/17 | Marist | Yale | First ever meeting | |
| 4/22 | Albany | Yale | 13-12 L | |
| 4/28 | Harvard | Yale | Ivy League | 9-8 L |
The Bulldogs add Bucknell, Marist, and Michigan to their schedule, but take out Maryland and St. John’s, adding one more game to their slate.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Nonconference Game: vs. Albany
The nonconference schedule takes a hit with the loss of Maryland, but the good news is the late season matchup between the Great Danes and the Bulldogs is still there. And it could be a preview of what we could expect a month from when the game is played. Two, maybe even three Tewaaraton candidates in Connor Fields, Ben Reeves, and possibly Tehoka Nanticoke are all in this game. Set time aside for this game.
Best Conference Game: @ Brown
Somehow, the Bears made it to the Ivy League Championship without Lars Tiffany at the helm and in Dylan Molloy’s final year. Too late for the rematch game, maybe. But, Brown did improve from the start of the year until the end, especially in goal with Phil Goss. They just have to find how to get by Yale’s stellar defense.
Under The Radar Game: vs. Bucknell
Midweek games have caused some trouble for the Elis in recent years. Last year, it was Bryant who gave them a surprising loss. Three years ago, they had to beat St. John’s in overtime. Could we have similar troubles with a team they’ve never played before?
Possible Upset: vs. Penn
Any day now, Penn deserves to get Yale’s number. Since 2007, nine of their 14 meetings have been decided by a goal. Three other meetings were decided by two goals, and one was decided by three goals. It’s been a very close and competitive series, with the Quakers’ core now becoming juniors. Time’s starting to tick in University City. Yale’s last loss to Penn came back in 2014.
For other schedules and team rosters, check out our Men’s Division I matrix.