ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? Two in-season tournaments plus a date with ACC power Clemson highlights the 2008 UNC Asheville women's soccer schedule. The 18-match schedule was released today by Bulldog head coach Michele Cornish.
“This will be a challenging schedule,” stated Cornish. “However, we're excited about the upcoming season and the challenges that await us. The two tournaments should prepare us for the Big South Conference Tournament.”
Asheville opens the 2008 season at home against East Tennessee State on Aug. 24. The Bulldogs play at Clemson on Aug. 31. It will be Asheville's first match against the Lady Tigers since the 2004 season.
The match with Clemson begins a six-game stretch where the Bulldogs play away from Greenwood Field. Asheville plays in its first tournament when the Bulldogs head to the Murray State Invitational in Murray, Ky. Cornish's club will compete against Murray State (Sept. 5) and UT-Martin (Sept. 7) in the tourney.
Asheville's next match is a trip to defending Southern Conference champion Furman on Sept. 10. Two days later, the Bulldogs begin play in the Jacksonville Invitational against Georgia State (Sept. 12) and then face Jacksonville (Sept. 14).
Asheville returns home on Sept. 17 as it opens Big South Conference play against league newcomer Presbyterian. The Bulldogs travel to Tennessee Tech (Sept. 21) before hosting Appalachian State (Sept. 23) in their final non-conference match of the regular season.
Cornish's team begins the second half of the season at league rival Winthrop (Sept. 27). The Bulldogs entertain defending league champion High Point (Oct. 1) before embarking on a three-game stretch of road games against Gardner-Webb (Oct. 4), Coastal Carolina (Oct.7) and Liberty (Oct. 11).
Asheville finishes up the regular season with three matches, two at home. The Bulldogs face VMI (Oct. 21) and Radford (Nov. 1) at Greenwood Field, sandwiched between a road date at Charleston Southern (Oct. 25).
The Big South Conference Tournament will be held at High Point University from Nov. 6-9. Asheville has been in league title game four of the last six years, winning the championship in 2006.
For information on UNC Asheville women's soccer team or any news from athletics, go to www.uncabulldogs.com.
