Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/18/23 – From Press Release
Today Corrigan Sports Enterprises announced plans to host a special lacrosse event in 2023 – the first-ever FCA Lacrosse Invitational presented by Kelly Benefits. The event – featuring Academy of the New Church – will be played on Tierney Field at the USA Lacrosse facility in Sparks, Maryland. The event presents both high school and college lacrosse in the unique setting of the sport’s national headquarters.
“Everyone at Kelly Benefits and FCA Lacrosse are thrilled to launch the FCA Lacrosse Invitational,” said Frank Kelly III, the Chief Executive Officer of Kelly Benefits. “Our family and FCA have deep roots in the lacrosse community and appreciate the contributions needed by a team at all levels of competition. It is an exciting opportunity for us to present an event that includes both top high school and college matchups. It will make for a memorable experience for each of the players, coaches and fans who come to USA Lacrosse.”
Added FCA Lacrosse Director Ryan Horanburg, “I could not be more excited to see this incredible event come together. Our focus on fellowship and faith throughout the lacrosse community locally and globally is helping to grow the game and positively impact the culture of this sport we all love at all different levels.”
The FCA Lacrosse Invitational begins on Friday, March 17 with two high school boys’ games that feature strong regional opponents challenging traditional powers from the MIAA A Conference. The first game has the Lawrenceville School (N.J.) playing Calvert Hall (Md.) at 5:00 pm. The second game has ANC facing off against St. Paul’s (Md.) at 7:00 pm.
Last year ANC won the Victory Events Mid-Atlantic Prep and Friends Schools League championships. The Lions went 16-4 and are playing a national-caliber schedule this year.
The event schedule continues on Saturday, March 18 with a college doubleheader. The first game at 12:00 pm will feature a pair of nationally ranked Division III women’s programs with William Smith (N.Y.) vs. Salisbury (Md.). The event concludes with a 3:00 pm match-up of rising Division I men’s teams with Hobart (N.Y.) vs. Providence (R.I.)
Hobart head coach Greg Raymond commented that, “This is such an awesome opportunity. We have great alumni and recruiting pockets in Maryland. We appreciate the work of Corrigan Sports to put together this event at USA Lacrosse. This will be an exceptional day for our program.” Raymond will be entering his tenth year as head coach of the Statesmen.
Providence is lead by first-year head coach Bobby Benson, who took over leadership of the Friars after winning a national championship a year ago as an Assistant Coach at Maryland. “We are extremely excited to play Hobart this Spring,” said Coach Benson. “Coach Raymond has done great things with the Hobart program. Playing against them at a site as meaningful as the USA Lacrosse headquarters will make for a great experience.”
“I am very excited to play Salisbury on March 18 at the USA Lacrosse facility in Sparks,” said Anne Phillips who has led the William Smith women’s lacrosse program to six NCAA tournament appearances as head coach. “I am looking forward to having our players visit the Hall of Fame. It will be a great opportunity to see all of the players and coaches who have been instrumental in shaping the great game of lacrosse. The facility is awesome. We could not be more excited to travel to Maryland and compete against Salisbury University, one of the perennial powers in Division III!”
Jim Nestor has led Salisbury to four national championships during his 21 seasons coaching the Sea Gulls. Coach Nestor commented that, “We always have a great support when we play at the USA Lacrosse headquarters. The chance to play a strong William Smith team should bring out the Sea Gull Nation with family, friends and alumni.”
Tickets will be sold for both the Friday and Saturday sessions. General admission tickets will be available for purchase in January. The high school and college games will also be streamed online for fans who cannot attend the live action at USA Lacrosse. For more information, visit the event page here.
