George Washington University Athletics
GW Men's Soccer Unveils 2015 Schedule
7/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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July 14, 2015
2015 GW Men's Soccer Schedule
WASHINGTON -- The George Washington men's soccer team, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this fall, will play four teams which advanced to the 2014 NCAA Tournament, including national champion Virginia and national semifinalist UMBC, as part of its 18-match 2015 schedule, fourth-year head coach Craig Jones announced on Tuesday.
"As we celebrate our 50th anniversary of varsity soccer this fall, our schedule is one of the toughest and most challenging since I have been involved with the program," said Coach Jones.
GW will play exhibition matches against Catholic (Aug. 21) and at James Madison (Aug. 23) before officially kicking off its 50th anniversary campaign at the Kuykenstrong D.C. College Cup hosted by George Mason University. The Colonials open the tournament, which is in its 15th season, on Aug. 28 against American in the teams' 44th all-time meeting. GW will also meet Howard for the 15th consecutive year on Aug. 30, after defeating the Bison, 4-1, at last season's event for its third straight win over its district rival.
The Colonials next head west for a pair of games against first-time opponents in Southern California, taking on reigning Big West champion Cal State Fullerton on Sept. 4 and San Diego State on Sept. 6.
GW then visits Saint Francis University on Sept. 16 for a rematch of last season's contest before playing the first of three straight and eight total home games at the GW Soccer Field on the Mount Vernon Campus on Saturday, Sept. 19, against Loyola (Md.). While the Greyhounds are believed to be the Colonials' first-ever varsity opponent in 1965, the teams have not met since 2008.
Next up is a Sept. 22 visit from national semifinalist UMBC, the three-time defending America East champion which reached its first NCAA College Cup last fall. The Colonials took the nationally ranked Retrievers to overtime in the teams' last meeting in 2013. GW concludes its three-game home stand on Sept. 25 with an Alumni Weekend tilt against Robert Morris, another rematch with a 2014 opponent.
The Colonials then take on their second College Cup team in three games when they face off with national champion Virginia on Sept. 29 in Charlottesville. GW takes on the Cavaliers for the first time since 2009, and it marks the first time the Colonials will face a defending national champion since playing Virginia in 1994 during the Cavs' run of four straight national titles.
"Taking nothing away from all of our non-conference opponents, it's great to be competing against two of last fall's Final Four teams in national champion UVa and local rival UMBC," said Coach Jones. "These were not the only teams on the non-conference slate to win their conference championships and compete in the NCAA Tournament, so it's going to be a great challenge for our guys to see where we are as a program and team."
GW opens Atlantic 10 Conference play on Oct. 3 at Davidson, which went 10-2-6 overall in 2014 and qualified for the A-10 Championship in its first season in the league. The Colonials played the Wildcats to a 1-1 draw in last season's finale.
The Colonials next visit Saint Joseph's on Oct. 7 before returning to D.C. to open a four-game home stand against Revolutionary Rival George Mason on Oct. 10. GW then takes a brief break from A-10 action to wrap up non-conference play against Longwood on Oct. 13. The Colonials downed the Lancers, 3-2, in overtime on the road last season.
Atlantic 10 regular-season champion and tournament runner-up Rhode Island comes to the GW Soccer Field on Oct. 17, followed by St. Bonaventure's first visit to D.C. since 2011 on Oct. 21. The Colonials blanked the Bonnies, 1-0, last season on St. Bona's home field.
GW makes the short trip to A-10 Championship qualifier VCU on Oct. 24 before hosting Massachusetts a week later for Senior Day on Halloween (Oct. 31). The Colonials conclude the regular season on Nov. 7 at Saint Louis, which reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.
"I seem to say this every year, but the A-10 is getting tougher and more competitive every season and every game is a battle," said Coach Jones.
The 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship will be held at George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia, from Nov. 12-15.
