Saint Francis (PA) Men's Soccer Announces 2012 Schedule
8/8/2012
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Loretto, PA -- Eager to retake the field after narrowly missing a spot in the Northeast Conference tournament last season, the Saint Francis men's soccer teams offseason wait is nearly over, as the squad has announced its 2012 schedule.
“I think we have put together a challenging schedule that will help us learn about ourselves, challenge us, and prepare us for the always tough Northeast Conference games,” said head coach Michael Casper. “We are looking forward to eight games at home this year and the chance to play in front of our family, friends and fanatical Red Flash fans.”
Saint Francis open up with two exhibition matches, the first at home against Marist College (8/15) and the second on the road against Cleveland State (8/19). The official start of the season begins at home against Loyola on Aug. 25 with a 2 p.m. start time. Saint Francis was nearly unbeatable at home in 2011, shutting out opponents in all but one game while amassing a 7-1 record.
The season continues with back-to-back road challenges, the first coming against the University of Cincinnati on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., before heading off to a mid-afternoon matchup with the University of Pittsburgh Sept. 1.
The Red Flash make their way back home with games against Howard (9/7) and Bucknell (9/9) before heading back on the road for five games. The road trip includes a New York swing with games against St. Bonaventure (9/16), Niagara (9/21) and Canisius (9/23). The squad heads to Rhode Island to open up conference play against Bryant on Sept. 28 at 3 p.m., followed by a trip to visit defending regular season champion Sacred Heart (9/30).
After being shutout on the road against Central Connecticut State last season, Saint Francis looks for redemption when they host the Blue Devils for their home conference opener on Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. The home stand continues with a game against St. Francis (N.Y.) (10/7).
Saint Francis ended their 2011 season strong with a 1-0 win against Robert Morris. They look to continue their success against the Colonials with a road game on Oct. 15, followed by matchups with Fairleigh Dickinson (10/19) and the defending NEC champion Monmouth Hawks (10/21) to finish out the road trip.
The soccer squad ends their season with a three-game home stand. Quinnipiac comes to town Oct. 26 followed by LIU Brooklyn on Nov. 2. The Red Flash close out their 2012 campaign at home against Mount St. Mary's Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. The game against the Mount could be a tight matchup with playoff implications, considering the two teams played to a 0-0 tie in Emmitsburg, Md. last October and were on the fringe of making the postseason tournament.