LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The Liberty men's lacrosse team has released its 2022 schedule and the Flames have put together a strong slate that will substantially test them.

In all, Liberty will play 15 regular season games, including nine at home.

"We are so grateful for the opportunity we had as a program to play lacrosse last year, but we are definitely excited about the idea of having a more 'normal' season in 2022," said Liberty coach Kyle McQuillan. "Seeing the return of the vast majority of MCLA teams is awesome."

After a scrimmage against NCAA Division III power Roanoke on Feb. 5, Liberty will open the season at home against the last team to raise the MCLA national championship trophy -- South Carolina.

The Flames will then open up the Atlantic Lacrosse Conference campaign by hosting North subdivision rivals Pittsburgh and West Virginia to round out February.

"As the defending ALC Champions, we understand that a repeat performance of that will be made much more difficult with the return of member teams and the addition of three new programs as well," said McQuillan. "With 11 teams representing the ALC in Division I, we are looking forward to the challenge."

After a trip to NC State top open March, Liberty entertains Florida, Clemson and Indiana before wrapping up the conference calendar with road trips to George Washington and Temple. A home tilt against Alabama ends March play.

On April 8, the Flames will host Brigham Young in the annual midnight contest.

"We are thrilled to announce that our annual midnight game will return in 2022 and will be played against BYU," McQuillan said. "Having the chance to play a program that ended our season last year at the MCLA Invitational Tournament is a great opportunity and we are looking forward to hopefully building a strong rivalry between our two teams."

The ALC tournament will take place from April 30 through May 1 at a location to be determined while the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance take place May 9-14 in Round Rock, Texas.

2022 Liberty Men's Lacrosse Schedule

* - indicates an ALC North subdivision contest
# - indicates a scrimmage
^ - indicates annual midnight contest