In a new-look American Athletic Conference women’s lacrosse league, five of the six conference teams get their seasons underway this weekend.

Old Dominion is the newest member of the conference for women’s lacrosse, and the Monarchs will be the first American team in action in 2021 as they head to VCU for a Friday matinee on ESPN+.

East Carolina also opens Friday as the Pirates host Furman at Johnson Stadium at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Pirates return their entire starting lineup from last season and boast 14 seniors who have been with the program since its first year in 2018.

Saturday’s ledger features a pair of nonconference games against ACC opponents as No. 7 Florida visits Louisville at 11:30 a.m. ET, while Vanderbilt is at No. 2 Notre Dame at noon ET. 

The Gators are the unanimous favorites in The American after they went 6-2 in the abbreviated 2020 season, including two wins against teams ranked in the top 3 nationally. 

The Commodores are second in The American’s preseason coaches’ poll. The game against Notre Dame will be the first in a stretch in which Vanderbilt will play three of its first four contests against ranked opponents.

Cincinnati begins its season Sunday with a home date against Marquette. The Bearcats were 22-18 winners against the Golden Eagles the last time the teams met at Gettler Stadium, but Marquette took last year’s matchup 17-6 in Milwaukee.