Davidson Men’s Soccer Announces 2011 Season Schedule

DAVIDSON, N.C. - The Davidson men's soccer team will challenge six 2010 NCAA Tournament teams, including home matches against perennial powers Duke and North Carolina and Southern Conference rival College of Charleston, as part of their 2011 schedule announced Wednesday by head coach Matt Spear.

The Wildcats will take on tournament participants Denver, East Tennessee State and UNCG on the road.

Davidson will face a total five ACC teams. During the regular season Duke (Oct. 4) and 2009 and 2010 national semifinalist North Carolina (Oct. 18) will face off against the 'Cats in Alumni Stadium. Davidson will take on Wake Forest with a trip to Winston-Salem on Sept. 28. Davidson will open the 2011 season with a pair of exhibition matches against ACC teams, traveling to Clemson Aug. 17 and hosting NC State Aug. 20. Davidson defeated NC State 1-0 to kick off the 2010 preseason.

“We believe that a challenging, out of conference schedule attracts top level recruits, motivates our players year-round, brings out the best of us and ignites our alumni,” said Spear.

Davidson has enjoyed non-conference success the past two seasons, earning a pair of 4-1 victories over No. 25 South Carolina and No. 6 Duke in 2009 and a 1-0 win over the ACC's Virginia Tech and a 2-2 draw at No. 13 UC Santa Barbara last season.

The regular season will commence Sept. 2 and 4 in Colorado against Air Force and Denver, respectively.

“The trip to Colorado will be a special homecoming opportunity for senior Dennis Shannon and his family,” said Spear. “Denver is an excellent program pushing for regular NCAA Tournament success, and of course playing at Air Force will be compelling too.”

The home slate will begin with the Davidson adidas Classic Friday, Sept. 9 with Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb facing off prior to Davidson and Detroit Mercy. The tournament will conclude Sept. 11 with App and Detroit Mercy playing prior to Davidson and Gardner-Webb.

The 'Cats will host regional foe Winthrop Sept. 14 before hitting the road for the next four matches, traveling to ETSU (Sept. 17), Campbell (Sept. 21), SoCon foe Georgia Southern (Sept. 25) and Wake Forest. Wake Forest missed the NCAA tournament in 2010, but were semifinalists the year prior and national champions in 2007.

After hosting Duke, Davidson will play two more conference road games against Elon (Oct. 8) and UNCG (Oct. 12) before concluding the regular season with six home matches. Longwood (Oct. 15) and North Carolina (Oct. 18) will conclude the 'Cats' non-conference slate, and then Davidson will round out with crucial SoCon contests against Wofford (Oct. 22), Furman (Oct. 25), Appalachian State (Oct. 29) and College of Charleston (Nov. 1).

The Southern Conference tournament begins Nov. 5 with the league's top four seeds hosting games. Appalachian State will host the semifinals and finals in Boone, N.C. Nov. 11-13.

“It's the Southern Conference match-ups that are most important,” commented Spear. “There is so much parity that each game is up for grabs.”

The league's parity was evident last season as three of the eight teams finished the regular season tied for first. Davidson finished the conference schedule at 1-3-3, but knocked off eventual NCAA tournament at-large selection and SoCon tournament host College of Charleston, 3-1 in the first round to advance to the semifinals against Furman.

“A positive, strong regular season can deliver the momentum and confidence for a tournament run,” said Spear. “With seven seniors, experienced underclassmen and talented freshmen, we have the tools, chemistry and ambition for an inspiring season.”

All matches and dates are subject to change.

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Davidson Men’s Soccer Announces 2011 Season Schedule

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