TicketsMay 27, 2009
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati 2009 men's soccer schedule features eight matches against 2008 NCAA Championship participants, including home matches against NCAA College Cup semifinalist St. John's, sweet 16 qualifier Michigan, and crosstown rival Xavier.
"We will play a very challenging schedule in 2009," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "We always try to play quality non-conference opponents to prepare us for BIG EAST play. As always, our top priority is to compete for the BIG EAST championship. We have a tremendous home schedule, including a home tournament, and if we can do well in the non-conference portion, that will position us for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament."
A challenging non-conference schedule is highlighted by UC hosting a four-team tournament at Gettler Stadium on Sept. 11-13. The invited teams include High Point, Western Illinois and Akron. UC will play W¬¬¬estern Illinois on Friday, Sept. 11 before taking on perennial power Akron on Sunday, Sept. 13.
The BIG EAST schedule presents its share of challenges, as the Bearcats travel to take on Marquette (Sept. 25), established power Notre Dame (Step. 27), 2008 BIG EAST champions South Florida (Oct. 3), Rutgers (Oct. 17), Louisville (Oct. 28) and finish the regular season at Syracuse (Oct. 31).
The home portion of the conference schedule features visits from BIG EAST Tournament qualifiers Pittsburgh (Sept. 18), West Virginia (Sept. 20), DePaul (Oct. 7), Villanova (Oct. 10) and wrap up home play against NCAA semifinalist St. John's (Oct. 24). The non-conference home opponents include Canisius (Sept. 4), Wright State (Sept. 6), crosstown rival Xavier (Sept. 30) and Michigan (Oct. 14).
The BIG EAST Tournament, which UC has qualified for in each of its first four seasons as a member of the conference, begins on Nov. 4-5 on campus sites. The semifinals (Friday, Nov. 13) and finals (Sunday, Nov. 15) will be played in Morgantown, W.Va.
UC kicks off exhibition play at home against Cincinnati State on Aug. 21. The Bearcats then wrap up preseason play with a trip to Columbus to take on Ohio State on Aug. 23.