Men's soccer announces 2016 campaign
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Head coach Seamus Purcell and the Bryant University men's soccer staff announced their 2016 fall schedule, beginning the season with the University of New Hampshire at home on August 26th.
"We are eagerly looking forward to getting back on the field after a very long break and successful spring campaign," said Purcell.
The Bulldogs follow their 2016 debut against UNH with instate games against Brown and Providence, looking for revenge against the Friars, as Bryant fell to then No. 7 PC, 2-1, last season. In their most recent matchup, the Black and Gold fell to Brown, 1-0, in the capital in 2013.
The squad then hits the road to face last year's nationally ranked United States Air Force Academy and the University of Denver, both for the first time in program history. Last year, Air Force finished 7-9-1, while Denver went 15-1-3 and 5-0-1 in the Summit League, losing their only game on the year in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Southern Methodist University, 1-0.
The Black and Gold return to the Northeast to face an array of regional foes, including Vermont, UMass Lowell, Rhode Island and Hartwick, in which Bryant finished 1-3 against last year, finding its win over Hartwick, 2-1, in Smithfield.
"We have put together a highly competitive and challenging non-league schedule which will no doubt prepare us for our conference games in October and November," said Purcell.
The Bulldogs kickoff their conference slate against the Blackbirds and remain in league play for the rest of the season, hosting Robert Morris on October 21, Saint Francis U. on Oct. 23 and St. Francis Brooklyn on Oct. 30.
After going 1-3-3 in the NEC and missing the conference tournament in the 2015 season, the Bulldogs will fight through their competitive schedule in hopes to earn a spot in the postseason, beginning on Nov. 11th.
"With the unbalanced conference schedule in our favor this year, four home games and three away, I expect us to get back to our winning ways and compete for the conference championship," said Purcell.
Click HERE to view the full 2016 schedule.