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Men’s Soccer Announces 2016 Schedule
April 29, 2016 11:59 AM | Men's Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University Director of Athletics Shane Lyons has released the 2016 men’s soccer schedule, which is highlighted by nine regular-season home matches.
The Mountaineers annually have one of the toughest schedules in the country, and the 16-match 2016 slate proves to be no different.
“We’ve certainly been known year in and year out to play one of the best non-conference schedules in the country, and this is no different than any other year,” WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “Our players came here to play in big games and big moments. We could schedule differently, but at the end of the day, these kids want to play in big matches. Having Georgetown on the schedule, having Maryland come to Morgantown as a national champion contender, those are a big ones. Our game is littered with top-level opponents and we’re certainly looking forward to the challenge that that’s going to bring.”
WVU will face four teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, with all four advancing to the NCAA Tournament Third Round or later.
As LeBlanc begins his 11th season at the helm, he does so having elevated the WVU program both on the pitch and in the community. This year, Mountaineer fans will have plenty of chances to cheer on their team at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium
A total of 11 matches, nine in the regular season, will be played at home. The home slate features five- and four-match homestands. Nearly 60 percent of WVU’s matches will come at home.
“We have a string of a number of games that are going to be here in Morgantown,” said LeBlanc. “Over the last decade, we’ve elevated the program in the community and in our campus as being one of the teams that our fans love to come out and watch. We draw big crowds, and we have fantastic support from the Mountaineer Maniacs and the community. For me, it’s been a wonderful evolution to see how much soccer has grown in West Virginia and how much support our kids get. Without a doubt, Dick Dlesk is one of the toughest places to come in and get a result, and we’re glad that we get to have that advantage here at home.”
The 2016 slate begins with three exhibition matches. First up is the annual Blue/Gold Intrasquad on Sunday, Aug. 14 and a matchup with rival Pitt on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m. ET. The preseason concludes at Loyola (Maryland) on Saturday, Aug. 20.
The season officially begins with a pair of games against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament Third Round a season ago. Playing in Akron, Ohio, WVU begins the year against Seattle on Friday, Aug. 26 before facing Georgetown on Sunday, Aug. 28.
The Mountaineers then come home for their next five matches, with each contest beginning at 7 p.m. The homestand begins against Princeton on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Six days later, West Virginia hosts ETSU on Friday, Sept. 9 before welcoming UMBC to Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The homestand continues against George Mason on Saturday, Sept. 17 and concludes vs. American on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
WVU takes to the road for one match, at UNC - Greensboro on Saturday, Sept 24 before coming home again for the final four home matches.
The homestand commences against St. Mary’s on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff time for the Saturday contest will be announced at a later date.
West Virginia opens conference play against Bowling Green on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. A matchup with Maryland, a team that made the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2015, follows on Monday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m.
Senior Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 15 against Mid-American Conference foe Buffalo on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
The Mountaineers are on the road for the final four matches of the regular season. The roadtrip begins at Akron on Saturday, Oct. 22. A perennial national championship contender, Akron advanced to the NCAA College Cup a year ago.
WVU then travels to Philadelphia for a non-conference matchup with Penn on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
MAC play resumes on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Western Michigan before concluding a week later at Northern Illinois, on Saturday, Nov. 5.
The complete 2016 WVU men’ soccer schedule, with match times, can be found here. All dates and times are subject to change, and fans are encouraged to stay tuned to WVUSports.com for additional updates.
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