RICHMOND, Va. – VCU Field Hockey has announced its 2021 fall schedule that features 10 home games as well as matchups with ACC and BIG EAST programs.
 
VCU, the defending Atlantic 10 Champions, is looking to build on a historic season as the Rams return 10 of 11 starters from last year's team and 15 of 17 student-athletes who appeared in at least one game.
 
The Rams begin their fall slate at home against American University (Aug. 27). The Eagles went 4-1 during the spring regular season with its lone loss to Bucknell, VCU's first round opponent in the NCAA Tournament. VCU then travels to Philadelphia, Pa. to take on BIG EAST foe Villanova (Sept. 5).
 
The Black and Gold then welcome a pair of in-state rivals to Cary Street Field in William & Mary (Sept. 10) and ODU (Sept. 12). VCU beat ODU in a 3-2 overtime thriller in Norfolk, Va. last season and the Monarchs finished the year ranked No. 15 in the final NFHCA poll.
 
VCU has three of its next four contests against A-10 opponents beginning with a road trip to Lock Haven (Sept. 17). The Rams follow their A-10 opener with a three-game homestand where they face Division I newcomer Bellarmine (Sept. 19) followed by Saint Joseph's (Sept. 24) and La Salle (Sept. 26).
 
VCU beat Saint Joseph's 2-0 in the A-10 Championship game last season. The Rams and Hawks have played each other in two of the last three A-10 Championship matches.
 
The Rams have a New England road trip the following weekend, playing at UMass (Oct. 1) and at Providence (Oct. 3).
 
VCU plays five of its final six regular season contests at home hosting Davidson (Oct. 9), Georgetown (Oct. 10), Saint Louis (Oct. 17), Wake Forest (Oct. 22) and Ball State (Oct. 24) before concluding with a road game at Richmond (Oct. 29). The Rams are facing Wake Forest for the first time since 2018 when VCU upset the then-No. 14 Demon Deacons at home. Wake Forest finished last season ranked No. 10 nationally.
 
The season will conclude with the Atlantic 10 Championships which are set to be held Nov. 5-6 at Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia, Pa.