The Bulldogs open their 2018 campaign on Friday, traveling to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolverines. Coming off their inaugural 2017 season, Butler looks to challenge themselves early in the season with the Wolverines and the Louisville Cardinals, who will make the trip to Indianapolis on Feb. 22.

"We wanted to start out with some tougher opponents first that way we can test ourselves and have the team be immersed immediately in the high level of lacrosse that we need to get to," head coach Cecil C. Pilson said of the beginning of the Bulldogs schedule.

Butler kicks off BIG EAST play with a home match-up against Connecticut on March 18 followed by Vanderbilt at home on March 25. Butler will also play home games against Marquette, Temple and Cincinnati. The Bulldogs will travel to conference foes Denver, Georgetown, and Villanova. They will wrap up their season at BIG EAST opponent Florida on April 28.

This season, Pilson and the Bulldogs look to build off of their competitiveness from last year.

"We are focused on the little goals; the ground balls, caused turnovers, draw controls, those little things that will equate to wins," Pilson said.

Captains Haley Hallenbeck, Jordan Fischbach, and Adilyn Smith will lead the Bulldogs on and off the field this season.

Hallenbeck is the Bulldogs' leading scorer from the 2017 inaugural season. The midfielder started in all 17 contests and led the team with 26 goals. She added four assists during her redshirt sophomore season for 30 total points. Hallenbeck also led the team in draw controls (38) and caused turnovers (16).

"As a returning captain, I think Haley is going to continue to push the players on the field," Pilson said. "She has such great field sense and it a major contributor everywhere, so she leads by example."

Smith, a transfer from the University of Dayton is a returning attacker for the Bulldogs. During the 2017 season, the junior from Cincinnati played in 12 games, making eight starts. She scored three goals, including one in the 2017 season opener against Liberty, and picked up one ground ball for the Bulldogs.

"Adilyn is there to lead our attack and be the quarterback of the attack. We look for her to thread the needle and direct our attackers," Pilson said.

Fischbach, a junior from Worthington, Ohio, is the third member of the trio. The defender played in 16 games, making 15 starts. She posted seven caused turnovers and came up with 12 ground balls, including a career day against Marquette with a season-high four ground balls and two caused turnovers.

"Jordan will be the captain of our defense. She's going to lead them into whatever defense we decide, whether it's a man set or zone set, she will be the vocal leader," Pilson said.

"All three of the captains off the field are definitely great examples of the Butler Way. They've really been successful not just in the classroom but on the field as well."

With 23 new faces on the roster, many freshmen will see significant time on the field this spring.

Morgan Paige, a lefty from Carthage, New York, will see time on the attack for the Bulldogs. Karina Latsko, a high school All-American, will transition from a midfielder to the attack for Butler. Madeline Hooks will also see time on the attack this spring.

Butler has an experienced midfield returning this spring, with Hallenbeck, Christina Soderquist, and Ashley Lizzi.

"We're excited to work our three returners into the midfield. They've been playing the strongest so far and have been leading the midfield both defensively and offensively," Pilson said.

Pilson also looks for freshmen Elizabeth Davide, Ashley Steffes, and Isabella Mandli to step up into a midfield role as well.

Defensively, Carly Hewitt, Mary Davide, Jordan Fischabch, and Nora Byrne all return for the Bulldogs. Newcomers Lindsey McShea, Alexandra Armstrong, Grace Lagoner will be a strong addition to Butler's defensive unit.

The Bulldogs return sophomore goalie Haley Rayburn. Freshman Amanda Rumsey will also see time in the net for Butler.

Friday's contest against the Michigan Wolverines is set for 3PM in Ann Arbor.