June 16, 2006

9:15 a.m. Tokyo Time, Saturday, June 17, 2006 a.k.a. 8:15 p.m. Chapel Hill Time, Friday, June 16, 2006

TOKYO, JAPAN--The University of North Carolina's jet-lagged lacrosse team will face a pair of Japanese National Youth Teams Saturday afternoon less than 21 hours after stepping off a plane that concluded a 21-hour day long trip to Tokyo from Chapel Hill.

In 2:45 minutes UNC will begin a back-to-back doubleheader against the Japanese Under-21 National Team and the Japanese Under-20 National Team. It is the opening day of the annual International Lacrosse Friendship Games here in one of the worl's most populous cities with 12 million people living in the city limits.

UNC left Chapel Hill Thursday morning at 7 p.m. and arrived in Japan at the Tokyo Prince Hotel Friday at 5:15 p.m. just in time to sample some of the night living in the thriving westernized Rippongi District a 15-minute walk from the hotel.

UNC left RDU Airport early Thursday, caught a connecting flight at Chicago's O'Hare Airport and 12 hours, two meals and three movies later were on the ground in Tokyo.

Things get more serious today as the Tar Heels take to the field for two afternoon games followed by a team dinner at one of the hotel's 16 restaurants. Tonight's bill of fare is Italian.

More pictures and details to follow later today.

--Dave Lohse

Associate Athletic Communications Director