UMBC

The UMBC men’s soccer program will open the 2009 season by entertaining Virginia Tech University on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at UMBC Soccer Stadium, head coach Pete Caringi announced today.

The game against the ACC’s Hokies highlights an exciting 10-game home schedule, which includes a five-game homestand in September and three consecutive home contests in October. Virginia Tech edged UMBC, 2-1, in overtime, in Blacksburg, Va. in October of 2008.

“This is the best home schedule we have had since I have been at UMBC,” Caringi said.” To open at home against a team like Virginia Tech, host three local rivals and then move into some tough America East contests is very exciting. It is a challenging schedule, but one that the fans and the players will definitely enjoy.”

The Retrievers host the 13^th annual adidas Kick-Off Classic on Sept. 10 and 12 as they face former Northeast Conference rivals St. Francis (Pa.) and Mount St. Mary’s. Then, on Wed., Sept.16,  Towson will take on UMBC at the Soccer Stadium for the first-time ever and compete against the Retrievers on the Hilltop Circle campus for the first time since 1993. The homestand concludes with a Saturday, Sept. 19 matinee vs. Drexel and a Tues., Sept. 22 game under the lights at UMBC Stadium vs. Loyola. The Greyhounds and Retrievers were postponed due to torrential rain at UMBC Stadium in September of last season.

UMBC opens America East play on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Vermont. They will host Stony Brook in the second evening contest on the synthetic sports turf of UMBC Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The Retrievers host Longwood in Homecoming, ’09 on Saturday, Oct. 17 and conclude the home slate on Saturday, Oct. 24 vs. Albany.

“I am also really looking forward to our two weekday night games,” Caringi said. “This is a great soccer area and I am confident we’ll have some great crowds for those games.”

UMBC’s complete 2009 schedule is available at http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/msoccer/schedule.asp?season=2009.