2013 Schedule
FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University ninth-year men's soccer head coach
Jon Atkinson has released his squad's complete schedule for the upcoming 2013 season. The Lancers' are slated to play 10 home matches in the friendly confines of the Athletics Complex in Farmville, in addition to eight road games. Longwood will take part in a pair of exhibition matches at UNC Wilmington (August 17, 7 p.m.) and against William and Mary (Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m.) before playing its season opener at Duquesne University on Friday, August 30 beginning at 7 p.m.
“This is an excellent schedule with some solid matchups that will really test us,” said Atkinson. “This is the first year that our schedule has taken on great symmetry and we are excited to get at it. Our program is maturing with each year and I feel we have the right blend of home and away games to give our squad the balance needed in order to prepare for our Big South opponents.
“I'm excited to hear the Lancer Voice at all of our team's home events, and I know we will be in the trenches with one another as we embark on what is sure to be another historic season for the Lancer Nation.”
Following the squad's opener at Duquesne, the Lancers will travel to the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 1 for a 3 p.m. tilt before returning home for four-straight matches. Longwood will host non-conference opponents IUPUI (Sept. 8, 11 a.m.), Davidson College (Sept. 14, 3 p.m.) and American University (Sept. 17, 7 p.m.) before welcoming High Point University to the Athletics Complex for the squad's first Big South Conference matchup of the season on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
“I personally know many of the out-of-conference teams we face this season and I like every match up we have slated,” commented Atkinson. “The road trip to Duquesne and Pitt, followed by the home game against IUPUI present our only unknowns. Adjusting to field turf on that road trip will bring about its usual challenges, but I've seen our team perform admirably on turf, so I have no concerns whatsoever about this.”
The Lancers' Big South schedule features six home contests and four road matches. In addition to High Point, Longwood will also play host to UNC Asheville (October 5, 2:30 p.m.), VMI (Oct. 16, 7 p.m.), Winthrop University (Oct. 26, 6 p.m.), Presbyterian College (November 2, 3 p.m.) and Coastal Carolina University (Nov. 9, 2 p.m.), while the squad is slated to travel to Radford University (Oct. 9, 7 p.m.), Gardner-Webb University (Oct. 12, 7 p.m.), Campbell University (Oct. 23, 6 p.m.) and Liberty University (Oct. 29, 7 p.m.).
“This is where we can look at a different strategic approach than we have ever faced,” explained Atkinson. “In previous years, we've had to bolt out of the gates in search of victory in every game, but this year we know it's more about how you finish, not necessarily how you start. This is not to say we intend to start slowly, but by knowing our conference games in the latter part of our schedule are our ultimate focus, we will look to fine tune the squad throughout the season and peak at the right time.”
Rounding out Longwood's non-conference home opponents will be Belmont University on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. Other non-conference road matches include UNC Greensboro (Sept. 28, 7 p.m.) and Appalachian State University (Nov. 5, 7 p.m.).
“There are no easy games at this level and enjoying some new teams in Farmville is a great experience for all concerned,” said Atkinson.
Last season, Longwood finished with a 3-12-3 overall record. Atkinson returns 18 letterwinners from his 2012 squad, while nine newcomers are set to join the Lancers in 2013, as well.
“This year's team promises to be a far more mature squad than last year,” concluded Atkinson. “In 2012, a majority of our starters had never experienced NCAA Division I soccer, but now with a healthy and productive spring season under our belts, we can afford to be optimistic about this fall and beyond.”
