Bulldogs release 2016 schedule that highlights nine home dates.
Gordon Announces 2016 MSU Soccer Schedule
July 21, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A tough slate that features eight NCAA Tournament teams highlights a competitive 2016 Mississippi State soccer schedule as head coach Aaron Gordon enters his fourth season at the helm.
In total, the Maroon and White will face 18 opponents, with nine at home, eight on the road and one neutral site contest.
"We have a challenging schedule this season that will test our club with quality opponents," Gordon said. "Last season was our best attendance year on record, so we're excited to give our fans nine home games this season. Their support means so much to us and I know they'll show up in droves again this year."
The Bulldogs will also play two exhibitions before kicking off the season, as MSU hosts Memphis on Wednesday, Aug. 10, before traveling to Ames, Iowa for another friendly with Iowa State on Saturday, Aug. 13.
The 2016 season officially kicks off in Charleston, S.C., on Friday, Aug. 19, as the Bulldogs face College of Charleston before facing Virginia Tech on Sunday. The Bulldogs will return to Starkville the following weekend to open the home slate, as State takes on Lipscomb on Friday and UT-Martin on Sunday.
MSU kicks off the SEC season on Friday, Sept. 9 against Arkansas, as the game will feature a special pregame recognition to the 2001 SEC Western Division Championship team. State will host Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m., with the game serving as "Senior Day" for three Bulldogs.
Along with Arkansas, MSU will welcome Vanderbilt (Sept. 18), Alabama (Sept. 30), South Carolina (Oct. 6), LSU (Oct. 14) and Texas A&M (Oct. 27) to the MSU Soccer Field in 2016.
State's SEC road contests feature a return of Ole Miss to the schedule on (Sept, 22), before the Bulldogs travel to Missouri (Sept. 25), Auburn (Oct. 9), Tennessee (Oct. 20), and Florida (Oct. 23).
"As always the SEC schedule will be a battle," Gordon said. "We face eight NCAA Tournament teams this season and six come from our conference. We will play some of the nation's toughest teams every weekend, but I know our team will be up for the task."
The Bulldogs will be aiming to finish in the top 10 of the league to make the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala., from Oct. 31- Nov. 6. State just missed making the cut last season by a point, which would've been the first appearance since 2004 for the Maroon and White.
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
2016 HailStateSOC Schedule Breakdown
In total, the Maroon and White will face 18 opponents, with nine at home, eight on the road and one neutral site contest.
"We have a challenging schedule this season that will test our club with quality opponents," Gordon said. "Last season was our best attendance year on record, so we're excited to give our fans nine home games this season. Their support means so much to us and I know they'll show up in droves again this year."
The Bulldogs will also play two exhibitions before kicking off the season, as MSU hosts Memphis on Wednesday, Aug. 10, before traveling to Ames, Iowa for another friendly with Iowa State on Saturday, Aug. 13.
The 2016 season officially kicks off in Charleston, S.C., on Friday, Aug. 19, as the Bulldogs face College of Charleston before facing Virginia Tech on Sunday. The Bulldogs will return to Starkville the following weekend to open the home slate, as State takes on Lipscomb on Friday and UT-Martin on Sunday.
MSU kicks off the SEC season on Friday, Sept. 9 against Arkansas, as the game will feature a special pregame recognition to the 2001 SEC Western Division Championship team. State will host Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m., with the game serving as "Senior Day" for three Bulldogs.
Along with Arkansas, MSU will welcome Vanderbilt (Sept. 18), Alabama (Sept. 30), South Carolina (Oct. 6), LSU (Oct. 14) and Texas A&M (Oct. 27) to the MSU Soccer Field in 2016.
State's SEC road contests feature a return of Ole Miss to the schedule on (Sept, 22), before the Bulldogs travel to Missouri (Sept. 25), Auburn (Oct. 9), Tennessee (Oct. 20), and Florida (Oct. 23).
"As always the SEC schedule will be a battle," Gordon said. "We face eight NCAA Tournament teams this season and six come from our conference. We will play some of the nation's toughest teams every weekend, but I know our team will be up for the task."
The Bulldogs will be aiming to finish in the top 10 of the league to make the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala., from Oct. 31- Nov. 6. State just missed making the cut last season by a point, which would've been the first appearance since 2004 for the Maroon and White.
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
2016 HailStateSOC Schedule Breakdown
- 18 total games (9 home, 8 road, 1 neutral)
- 8 total NCAA Tournament teams, with 5 finishing the season ranked
- #5 Florida, #14 Virginia Tech, #19 Auburn, #21 Texas A&M, #24 Ole Miss
- South Alabama, South Carolina, LSU
- Season Opener: College of Charleston (Aug. 19)
- Home Opener: Lipscomb (Aug. 26)
- SEC Opener: Arkansas (Sept. 9)
- Senior Day: Louisiana-Lafayette (Sept. 11)
- Returning to the SEC Slate: Ole Miss (Sept. 22) South Carolina (Oct. 6)
- Leaving the SEC Slate: Kentucky, Georgia
- MSU faces non-conference opponents from six difference leagues
- ACC (1): Virginia Tech
- CAA (1): College of Charleston
- CSC (1): Lipscomb
- C-USA (1): Southern Miss
- OVC (1): UT-Martin
- Sun Belt (2): Louisiana-Lafayette, South Alabama
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SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Press Conference vs. Lipscomb
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SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Zoe Main Media Session
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SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman Media Session
Monday, November 10