June 23, 2009

2009 USF Women's Soccer Schedule

(San Francisco, CA) - Head women's soccer coach Mark Carr announced the 2009 schedule, which includes 11 home games, and three matches against 2008 NCAA Tournament contenders. USF hosts four of seven West Coast Conference matches at Negoesco Stadium.

USF prepares for the year with an exhibition against UC Davis on the Hilltop on Thursday, August 13. The Dons officially open the season at San Jose on Sunday, August 23, before returning home to host Marist (Friday, August 28) and the Academy of Art (Sunday, August 30).

Continuing their home stand, San Francisco will welcome San Jose State, Fairfield and Long Island University for a four game tournament September 4-6. SJSU and Fairfield will open the USF odwalla Nike Classic on Friday, followed by a USF/Long Island match. On Sunday, SJSU and Long Island will play the first game, with USF and Fairfield closing out the event. Fairfield lost out in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

USF then hits the road for two at Riverside (Friday, September 11) and Fullerton (Sunday, September 13) before returning to Negoesco for one versus UNLV (Friday, September 18). Back on the road to close out the non-conference schedule, the Dons meet Pacific in Stockton on Sunday, September 20, before traveling north for matches at Eastern Washington (Friday, September 25) and Seattle University (Sunday, September 27). The Dons also play one non-conference game at Bakersfield on Sunday, November 1.

"We play a well balanced schedule this year with strong East Coast teams and teams from some of the top conferences in the Western United States," said Carr. "As always during non-conference, we try to challenge ourselves so we can get ready for the WCC."

Once again, the West Coast Conference looks to be tough. Portland and San Diego were NCAA Tournament participants last season, with USD reaching the second round and Portland earning a Final Four spot. Saint Mary's (Sunday, October 11), Santa Clara (Friday, October 16), and San Diego (Sunday, October 18) will kick off the WCC season at Negoesco Stadium.

USF heads north to meet Gonzaga on Friday, October 23 and Portland on Sunday, October 25. The Dons continue their road trip the following Friday, October 30 at Loyola Marymount. They close out the 2009 season hosting Pepperdine on Saturday, November 7.

"The West Coast Conference is very strong and we are aiming toward challenging for a championship," Carr said.