TicketsJune 2, 2010
CINCINNATI - Four NCAA tournament participants highlight the 2010 University of Cincinnati men's soccer schedule, announced today by head coach Hylton Dayes.
"We've put together a challenging non-conference schedule which will prepare us for our BIG EAST season and also position us for an NCAA tournament at-large berth," said Dayes. "Rivalry matches against Dayton and Xavier and a road contest against last year's national runner-up, Akron, will be an opportunity to test ourselves against one of the top programs in the country."
The Bearcats open the 2010 season with three exhibition contests, the first two on the road at Northern Kentucky (Aug. 20) and Evansville (Aug. 23). UC wraps up its exhibition slate against Cleveland State in Gettler Stadium on Aug. 27.
The regular season opener pits the Bearcats against regional rival Dayton on Sept. 1 in Gettler Stadium. UC then welcomes Detroit on Sept. 5 before hosting the BIG EAST adidas Challenge with Louisville on Sept. 10-12. The Bearcats will take on Appalachian State (Sept. 10) and Fordham (Sept. 12), while Louisville will host the same two teams on the opposite dates.
The following weekend will provide a stiff test as the Bearcats travel to Akron, Ohio, for the University of Akron Tournament. UC will take on Illinois-Chicago on Sept. 17 and the host Zips, who were NCAA finalists and ranked No. 1 throughout the 2009 season, on Sept. 19.
The annual rivalry match against crosstown foe Xavier is set for Sept. 29 at the XU Soccer Complex. The Bearcats close out the non-conference schedule with a trip to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan on Oct. 6.
BIG EAST play begins with a visit from Georgetown on Sept. 25. Other BIG EAST home contests include Rutgers (Oct. 2), Louisville (Oct. 13), USF (Oct. 20), and Syracuse (Oct. 30).
The conference road slate features dates at St. John's (Oct. 9), Seton Hall (Oct. 16), Villanova (Oct. 23), and DePaul (Oct. 27).
UC's 2010 opponents combined for a .543 winning percentage and posted a 4-3-2 mark in the NCAA tournament last season.
"We have an excellent home conference schedule with matches against NCAA participants Louisville and USF," Dayes said. "Combined with our non-conference home games and the BIG EAST adidas Challenge, this will give fans an opportunity to see high level soccer at Gettler Stadium in 2010."
Preseason training for the Bearcats begins on Monday, Aug. 16.