July 27, 2006
Complete Men's Soccer Schedule in PDF Format
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ORLANDO - UCF head men's soccer coach Brent Erwin announced the team's 2006 schedule on Thursday. Included on the slate are four regular season matches against 2005 NCAA Tournament participants as well as trips to three tournaments.
"Although we essentially have a brand new team with 18 new players, our goal is to compete on the national level," said Erwin, who is entering his second season at the helm. "Conference USA is one of the top soccer conferences in the nation and our non-conference schedule has to prepare us for the challenge that C-USA presents."
UCF makes its regular season debut at the Wake Forest Invitational as the squad takes on the host Demon Deacons and North Carolina, both perennial NCAA Tournament participants, on Aug. 25 and 27. The Golden Knights swing through South Carolina the following weekend, where they square off against host College of Charleston and UNC-Wilmington at the Aaron Olitizky Memorial Classic.
On Sept. 8, UCF plays its home opener against North Florida and remains at the UCF Soccer Complex to play Wright State on Sept. 10 before heading back to South Carolina to take on the host Terriers and Furman at the Wofford College Classic from Sept. 15-17.
"To have teams with rich soccer traditions like Wake Forest, North Carolina, College of Charleston and Furman on our schedule will be a huge benefit when we transition into league play," said Erwin.
The team begins its second season of play in C-USA on Sept 22 when it travels to Tulsa. Then the Golden Knights return to Orlando for a match against Memphis on Sept. 27. They also face 2005 C-USA regular season champion and College Cup Semifinalist SMU, UAB and Florida International at home, while they take on Marshall, Kentucky and 2005 C-USA Tournament champion South Carolina on the road.
A match against in-state rival Stetson on Oct. 28 concludes the regular season.
The C-USA Championship begins on Nov. 1 at campus sites.
In preparation for a tough schedule, the Golden Knights are set to play 2005 NCAA participant USF and Tampa, an NCAA Division II powerhouse, in home exhibition contests prior to their season opener.
In 2005, the Golden Knights narrowly missed a berth in the C-USA Championship and finished with a 7-8-1 overall record.