Men's Soccer Unveils 2012 Schedule
Story Links
June 22, 2012
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s soccer team announced its 2012 schedule Friday. The tough slate features seven programs which reached the NCAA tournament last year, including reigning national champion North Carolina and national semifinalist UCLA.
2011 NCAA Tournament participants Duke, Xavier, Maryland, Wake Forest and Boston College also line the Cavaliers’ strong schedule.
Virginia went 12-8-1 overall and 4-3-1 in the ACC last season and reached the NCAA tournament for the 31st-consecutive year – the longest current streak in Division I soccer. UVa will bring back 12 letterwinners, including seven starters, from the 2011 team and also welcomes in a decorated class of seven newcomers which was tabbed as the No. 2 national recruiting class by Top Drawer Soccer.
Virginia opens the season Aug. 24 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md., when it takes on Georgetown in the Big East/ACC Challenge. The contest marks the first tilt between the two sides since the 1997 season.
UVa opens its home schedule at Klöckner Stadium with a pair of Pac-12 foes, as the Cavaliers take on California on Aug. 31 and UCLA on Sept. 2. The Bruins went 18-4-1 last year and reached the College Cup semifinals before succumbing to eventual national champion North Carolina in penalty kicks.
A six-match homestand continues with the ACC opener against Duke (Sept. 7). The Blue Devils reached the second round of the NCAA tournament last year and were one of six ACC teams to advance to postseason play.
Virginia’s ACC home schedule also includes Clemson (Sept. 28), Wake Forest (Oct. 12) and Virginia Tech (Oct. 19). The Demon Deacons reached the second round of the NCAA tournament last year.
Virginia’s ACC road schedule will be stout, beginning Sept. 21 at 2011 NCAA champ North Carolina. UVa also will play at Maryland (Oct. 5), Boston College (Oct. 26) and NC State (Nov. 1). The Terrapins reached the third round of the NCAA tournament last year, while BC advanced to the second round.
In non-conference play, Virginia will travel to VCU on Sept. 25 at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond. UVa’s home schedule also consists of non-conference matches with Mount St. Mary’s (Sept. 11), Xavier (Sept. 14), Drexel (Sept. 18), High Point (Oct. 9) and Wright State (Oct. 16). Xavier advanced to the NCAA tournament last year after winning its second straight Atlantic 10 championship. Wright State returns 10 starters from its 2011 Horizon League runner-up team.
The ACC Championship starts Nov. 5 with the play-in game between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds, and first-round games will be contested Nov. 6 on the home fields of the top four seeds. The semifinal and championship matches will be contested Nov. 9 and 11, respectively, at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md.
UVa also will play preseason exhibitions at Klöckner Stadium against St. John’s (Aug. 14) and Liberty (Aug. 18). Admission to the exhibition games will be free of charge.
Virginia soccer season tickets go on sale July 6. Season ticket holders from last season will receive a renewal application in the mail. All other fans can order season tickets online, in person or by telephone. To purchase tickets online, visit VirginiaSports.com/Tickets. In-person purchases can be made at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821) or locally at 434-924-UVA1 (8821).
The 2012 All-Soccer Reserved Season Pass (reserved seats for all home men’s and women’s games) is $90. The Men’s Soccer Reserved Season Pass is $50 and Women’s Reserved Season Pass is also $50. Reserved season tickets were sold out in 2011 and these ticket holders will have the first opportunity to renew their seats. All new orders will be placed on a waitlist and customers will be contacted after the priority deadline regarding their status. General Admission All-Soccer Season Passes are also available for adults ($40), Youth/Senior ($30) and Faculty/Staff ($30).
A Friday Night Lights Package for men’s soccer is available for $24 (adult) and $18 (youth/senior/faculty/staff) and includes general admission to four Friday night home men’s soccer games: Cal (Aug. 31), Duke (Sept. 7), Wake Forest (Oct. 12) and Virginia Tech (Oct. 19).
Single-game tickets go on sale Aug. 3 and are $9 for reserved seats, $7 for adults and $5 for youth, seniors and faculty/staff.