- Chris Jastrzembski
Previewing Merrimack's 2022 men's lacrosse schedule
The Merrimack Warriors are the 35th team in our 2022 men’s college lacrosse schedule preview series and the fifth team from the NEC. Merrimack went 5-5 overall in 2021 and 4-4 in NEC play. As part of their second year of a four-year transition period from Division II to Division I, the Warriors were ineligible to participate in the NEC Tournament.
Here's their entire 2022 spring schedule:
WHO'S IN?
Hofstra Pride (2/5)
Dartmouth Big Green (2/19)
Holy Cross Crusaders (2/26)
WHO'S OUT?
NA
CIRCLE THESE DATES
2/5 at Hofstra: In 16 all-time games at the Division I level, Merrimack is 6-10 in the last two seasons. But don't let the record fool you, as eight of those losses have been decided by three goals or fewer. They have always been in games until the final few minutes or seconds, even though they were just at the Division II level three years ago. This will be an interesting game and could make for an early season upset.
2/12 at Boston University: This game starts a five-game stretch against New England foes for the Warriors, and they have a decent chance of winning at least three of those contests. Merrimack returns every point-scorer from a year ago as well as a handful of solid defensive options.
3/26 at LIU: Unlike Merrimack, LIU has been postseason eligible since moving up to Division I in 2020 (when Merrimack did the same). The difference was that LIU merged their Brooklyn (Division I) and Post (Division II) athletic departments into one and stayed at the Division I level. LIU Brooklyn didn't have a men's lacrosse program, meaning the then-Pioneers got a free pass to postseason eligibility. Merrimack won the first D1 meeting last year, 14-10, and have won seven of the last eight meetings at any level since 2014.
4/30 vs. Saint Joseph's: It's a bummer that Merrimack isn't able to play in the postseason, otherwise this could be a big game for both teams. The Warriors could potentially play spoiler to the Hawks if St. Joe's hasn't clinched a spot in the conference tournament. The Hawks won by two last year in Philadelphia.