FOLEY, Ala. -- Eleven MCLA Division II teams, including six nationally ranked programs, will descend on the Foley (Ala.) Sports Tourism Complex for 16 games this weekend for the Battle By The Bay.

The neutral-site venue provides an opportunity for teams to ensure their conference meets the league’s requirement for out-of-conference play and a chance to qualify for an at-large spot in the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance.

The games kick off on Sat., Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. when three Florida teams clash with three from Texas. Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast and Florida Poly take on UT-San Antonio, Baylor and North Texas, respectively.

A full event schedule is below.

Every team participating is playing out-of-conference league games and most of the men's teams participating have never before played their scheduled Battle By The Bay opponents.

The event is the brainchild of Florida Atlantic coach Chris Fantaccione, who in 2019 contacted Chris Pierce, the co-director tied to the Mobile Recreational Lacrosse League. Fantaccione wanted to help bring college lacrosse games to the lower Alabama area for neutral-site competition.

The intent is to help grow the interest in lacrosse in an area.

“Our hope is that the youth and high school players will see that they can continue their lacrosse playing careers/become future college lacrosse players," said Fantaccione. "Battle By The Bay also hopes to supply proof that the sport of lacrosse should become a sanctioned high school sport in the state of Alabama.”

Price of admission to the Battle by the Bay is $5. There be high school games and women's collegiate contests, as well.

Battle of the Bay Schedule

Saturday, Feb. 19
UT-San Antonio vs. Florida Atlantic, 10 a.m.
Baylor vs. Florida Gulf Coast, 10 a.m.
North Texas vs. Florida Poly, 10 a.m.
Texas A&M D-II vs. Rhode Island, 2 p.m.
Baylor vs. Florida Poly, 2 p.m.
North Texas vs. Kennesaw State, 2 p.m.
Missouri State vs. Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m.
Rhode Island vs. North Florida, 6 p.m.
Texas A&M D-II vs. Florida Gulf Coast, 6 p.m.
UT-San Antonio vs. Kennesaw State, 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 20
Florida Atlantic vs. Rhode Island, 9 a.m.
North Florida vs. Baylor, 9 a.m.
Florida Gulf Coast vs. Missouri State, 9 a.m.
Florida Poly vs. UT-San Antonio, 12 p.m.
Kennesaw State vs. Texas A&M D-II, 12 p.m.
North Florida vs. North Texas, 12 p.m.