via press release – photo from JU web site   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach John Galloway is excited to announce the 2017 schedule, where almost half the Dolphins’ slate is against teams that are routinely inside the top-20. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete in a very competitive non-conference schedule slate. With perennial top-20 teams in Duke, Ohio State, Lehigh, and Marquette, we know how important our preparation must be heading into the season,” said Galloway. “We will round out non-conference play with defending America East champion Hartford and Detroit on the road. Our student-athletes will be challenged from the first game to the last.” Click here to view the schedule. The Galloway era begins on Feb. 11 when Lehigh visits D.B. Milne Field, followed by Marquette a week later. The two home games give way to a taxing road stretch, where the Dolphins play Detroit, Ohio State, Hartford, and Duke to close out the non-conference schedule. “While non-conference play is important, we know that our road to an opportunity to play in May exists through conference play. The Southern Conference will feature three more top teams that broke the top-20 last season. Richmond, Air Force and High Point all have established themselves as national contenders,” said Galloway. “We look forward to hosting Furman and Mercer here in Jacksonville in crucial league play. Road contests against Bellarmine and VMI will test our team late in the season,” continued Galloway. “The SoCon has quickly established itself as an elite conference, and I look forward to my first experience with these young and talented programs.” The SoCon opener is set for Mar. 18 against the Spiders, and the trip out to Air Force follows a week later. Two home games are in April, against Furman on Apr. 1 and the home finale vs. High Point on Apr. 22.