Davidson Releases 2007 Men's Soccer Schedule
6/27/2007 11:01:31 AM | Men's Soccer
Joey Beeler -- Assistant SID
2007 Men's Soccer Schedule
DAVIDSON, N.C. — Coming off a campaign that featured six teams ranked in the national Top 10, the 2007 Davidson men's soccer schedule includes five NCAA participants from a year ago, three weekend tournaments and a full Southern Conference slate as recently announced by Head Coach Matt Spear.
"We always aim to schedule a great slate of challenges,” commented Spear, who returns for his seventh season at the helm of his alma mater, where he holds the program's best winning percentage. “But we view them as opportunities to play our best and to prove ourselves.”
Following a trio of exhibitions, which includes a return trip to North Carolina (Aug. 21), who the Wildcats played to a 1-1 draw in 2006 when the Tar Heels were ranked as high as No. 1 in the preseason polls, Davidson will open the season hosting the fourth annual Davidson adidas Classic. Along with the 'Cats, who are 5-1-0 in the event in recent years , the 2007 tournament will include Charlotte, San Jose State and St. Mary's (CA). Davidson will entertain St. Mary's under the lights of 1992 Team Field at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 before concluding the classic with San Jose State Sunday, Sept. 2.
A week later, Davidson will travel to the site of SoCon rival UNC Greensboro to take part in the UNCG adidas Classic where the Wildcats will battle Lafayette (Sept. 7) and Dayton (Sept. 9).
After opening its 18-game regular season schedule with a pair of opponents from California, the Wildcats will make the journey to the West Coast where they will take on teams from the PAC-10 in the Stanford University Tournament in Palo Alto, Calif. Davidson and the Stanford Cardinal will meet for just the second time in both the program's history at 7 p.m. (PST) Sept. 21 before wrapping up its longest trip away from home in three years against California (Sept. 23) . California advanced to the third round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
“It's outside of the Conference where we further stretch and test ourselves. Playing four quality teams from California, that we have not faced, will be tremendously exciting.”
Shooting for its fourth appearance in the Southern Conference Championship in the last five seasons, Davidson will kick off its league schedule at Elon Sunday, Sept. 30.
Looking to avenge a hard-fought loss to then-ranked No. 10 South Carolina a year ago, the Wildcats will get their chance as they host the Gamecocks Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Davidson's mid-week tilt with USC will be the first of seven out of 10 games at Alumni Stadium to close out the regular season.
The Wildcats have a five-game homestand to wrap up the 2007 regular season, beginning with Appalachian State Oct. 17 . Duke, who advanced to the NCAA Quaterfinals last season , visits Alumni Stadium on October 31, and “Senior Day” will be November 3 against College of Charleston, a crucial SoCon battle which could have major implications on league tournament seedings.
“The 2007 schedule of course features the deep Southern Conference rivalries. More than ever, we have parity in the Conference and each game will be up for grabs. And any team can finish first,” said Spear, who holds an all-time record of 27-14-2 in SoCon matches.
As its done 17 straight seasons, Davidson's slate will include Atlantic Coast Conference power Wake Forest. The 26th meeting between the these in-state foes will take place in Winston-Salem, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 6 and conclude the 'Cats' regular season.
“It would be too easy to see ourselves as 'David vs. Goliath' because we have competed and won our share against the nation's best. But there is no question that Davidson student-athletes want to be more than just giant killers, but rather giants ourselves.”
Pushing for its seventh winning season in the last eight years, Davidson will be led by a hungry group of five seniors, including co-captain Robby Hoak, who has tallied 34 points (14 Goals, 6 Assists) in his career. Three juniors, 10 sophomores and the addition of seven freshman will also make up this year's Wildcat club.
