GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College has released its 2015 men's lacrosse schedule announced Pioneer head coach Richard Carrington. (2015 Schedule)

The Pioneers, who are competing in their second collegiate season, will play a 13-game schedule which includes eight South Atlantic Conference contests as well as seven home games at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field.

Coach Carrington returns 16 lettermen, including six of the team's top goal scorers from the program's inaugural squad that posted a 5-8 overall record.

The Pioneers will be tested right out of the gate when the Black and Orange travels to Florida for a pair of games against Florida Tech on Feb. 6 and NCAA Division II national semifinalist Tampa on Feb. 8. Florida Tech went 3-9 overall and finished fifth in the Sunshine State Conference. Tampa posted a 16-3 mark while capturing the Sunshine State Conference title. The Spartans defeated No. 5 Mercyhurst in the national quarterfinal before falling to eventual national champion Limestone in the DII semifinal.

Tusculum opens conference play on Feb. 21 as the Pioneers go to Hickory, North Carolina to take on defending SAC co-champion Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears went 10-4, including a win over Tusculum in Greeneville in the first SAC contest for both programs.

The Pioneers will host Ohio Valley on Feb. 28 in TC's home-opener at Pioneer Field. Tusculum defeated the Fighting Scots 12-10 in last year's season-opener as Ohio Valley finished the year 2-13.

The Pioneers stay at home on Mar. 7 when Wingate comes to Greeneville for a SAC contest. The Bulldogs finished sixth in last year's conference standings and posted a 7-6 overall record.

TC is on the road for its next two games with trips to Mars Hill (Mar. 12) and Lincoln Memorial (Mar. 17). Mars Hill finished third in the league in 2014 and recorded a 7-8 overall worksheet for the Lions. LMU is playing in its inaugural campaign in 2015.

Tusculum returns to Pioneer Field on Mar. 21 to host Catawba. The Indians tied for fourth place in the SAC standings and went 7-8 overall.

TC welcomes Brevard on Mar. 28 as the Tornados finished seventh in the SAC a year ago while posting a 3-10 overall record.

The Pioneers go to Coker on Apr. 3 to take on the Cobras. Coker went 6-8 in 2014 and tied for fourth place in the SAC standings.

TC hosts North Greenville on Apr. 7 at Pioneer Field. The Crusaders are competing in their first men's lacrosse campaign this year.

The conference regular season comes to an end on Apr. 11 as Queens University of Charlotte makes its inaugural trip to Greeneville. The Royals went 12-5 last season, while capturing a share of the SAC regular-season title and won the inaugural SAC Tournament championship.

The South Atlantic Conference Tournament will begin on Apr. 13 with quarterfinal play. The SAC Tournament semifinal (Apr. 16) and championship (Apr. 18) will be played in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Following the conference tournament, the Pioneers will wrap up their regular season on Apr. 25 when they host Young Harris for Senior Day. Tusculum defeated the Mountain Lions 9-8 in last year's first meeting.

The NCAA Division II Tournament will begin May 9 with the national quarterfinal held at campus sites. The 2015 NCAA National Championship will be played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

- TC -