Bulldogs Release 2011 Soccer Schedule
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Nine home dates and matches against five teams that advanced to the postseason last year highlight the Mississippi State soccer team's 2011 schedule.
The Bulldogs open the slate by hosting Samford in an exhibition match on Aug. 15. The regular season kicks off August 21 with a trip to Jonesboro for a match against Arkansas State.
Head coach Neil Macdonald's squad heads to California for matches at UC Riverside (Aug. 26) and UC Irvine (Aug. 28). The Dawgs meet an Irvine squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of last year's NCAA Tournament.
"This is once again a very challenging schedule for our team. We are facing some very good clubs in the non-conference, and those tough matches will benefit our squad heading into the SEC portion of our schedule," Macdonald said. "I was very impressed with how hard our team worked during the spring, and with some talented freshmen joining our program, we are very excited heading into the season."
MSU wraps a season-opening, five-match road trip with matches at Jackson State and Southern Mississippi on Sept. 2 and 4, respectively.
Macdonald's troops return home Sept. 9 and 11, hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Lipscomb in the second Bulldog Classic.
Following a Sept. 16 home date against Troy, the Maroon & White hit the road to open SEC play at LSU (Sept. 23) and Arkansas (Sept. 25).
Mississippi State opens the home SEC slate Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 against Alabama and 2010 NCAA Tournament competitor Auburn.
The Bulldogs venture to Georgia and Tennessee the following weekend before wrapping the regular season hosting three of the final five games.
State welcomes NCAA Tournament teams South Carolina and Florida Oct. 14 and 16, respectively. Mississippi State tied both teams in 2009, the last time the two teams visited the MSU Soccer Field.
MSU closes the home slate against Kentucky on Oct. 20, and it wraps the regular season with road trips to Vanderbilt (Oct. 23) and Ole Miss (Oct. 28).