GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - The Southwestern University men's lacrosse team has released their schedule for the 2024 season. The 2023 season marked the first time the Pirates had a record of .500 or below since 2016. The Pirates went 9-9 last year, going 7-4 at home but losing out to Colorado College in the Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference Championship game. 

Head Coach Bill Bowman is entering his thirteenth season as head coach of the Pirates program. The Pirates will compete independently in 2024, having been a member of the HCLC for the past two years. 

In 2024, men's lacrosse will face five programs who have appeared in the NCAA tournament in the past two years. Coach Bowman gives his outlook on the season ahead. 

"We are excited about this schedule as it is undoubtedly one of our most competitive ever. The quality of teams from all over the nation that we are getting the opportunity to play will only make us better. I look forward to playing teams that we can learn from each game, and I look forward to us growing as a team in the heavy part of March," says Bowman.

"As far as the team, if some young guys can pick things up quickly and we can avoid injuries, it should be a lot of fun this year, I think this team has really worked hard this fall and is looking forward to the opportunity to get back out on the field this spring," concludes Bowman. 

Before the start of the year, men's lacrosse will host their annual alumni game on January 27th at 12:00 PM. 

Southwestern will open up the season against two future Southern Athletic Association opponents. The Pirates will face Birmingham Southern College on Saturday February 10th at 12:00 PM CST in Birmingham, Alabama. The following week, they will travel to Rhodes College in Memphis to face the Lynx on Sunday, February 18th at 12:00 PM CST. 

In the month of March, men's lacrosse will play eleven games featuring a five game homestand. The Pirates will kick off March by traveling to Virginia to play Southern Virginia on March 1st, followed by Bridgewater College on March 3rd. 

Southwestern will play their home opener on Varsity Field against Vassar College on Thursday March 7th at 7:00 PM. Then, the Pirates will the play the likes of Farmingdale State, UMass - Boston, The United States Merchant Marine Academy, and Hendrix at home all in the span of ten days. 

In the tail end of March, the Pirates will make the trip up to New Jersey to take on Kean University and Montclair State University. The following week, the team travels to Illinois, battling Illinois Wesleyan and Elmhurst. 

Southwestern Men's Lacrosse will cap off their season hosting the Colorado College Tigers on Varsity Field, April 6th at 1:00 PM