FMU women's soccer team posts 2008 schedule

FLORENCE – The Francis Marion University women’s soccer team, entering its second season as an NCAA Division I independent, has released its 2008 schedule. The slate, which includes 12 matches against teams which posted winning marks in 2007 and five squads that completed in last year’s NCAA Tournament, is arguably the toughest ever assembled for the Patriots.

Francis Marion will also participate in two regular-season tournaments: the Carolina Cup in Columbia at the University of South Carolina’s Stone Stadium and the Mountaineer Invitational at Appalachian State University.

FMU head coach Marty Beall welcomes back 13 letterwinners, including six starters, from last season’s 10-7-1 squad. That marked the team’s 12th season with double-digit victories in its 13-year history.

The Patriots will play one exhibition match at East Tennessee State University on Aug. 15.

The squad will open its regular season on Aug. 22 at Charleston Southern University. FMU will then play host to East Carolina University on Sunday, Aug. 24, and Wake Forest University on Friday, Aug. 29. The Demon Deacons, who played in last year’s NCAA Tournament, will be the first-ever ACC opponent to visit the FMU Soccer Field.

On the first weekend in September, Francis Marion will play Furman University (Sept. 5) and Clemson University (Sept. 7) as part of the Carolina Cup. Clemson also played in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

Other key matches on the schedule include Atlantic 10 champion and NCAA Tournament participant Charlotte visiting FMU on Sept. 21, the Patriots traveling to Patriot League Tournament champion and NCAA Tournament participant Navy on Sept. 26, and FMU playing at NCAA Tournament participant University of Missouri on Oct. 17. While in the Midwest, Francis Marion will also visit the University of Kansas on Oct. 19.

The opening nine regular-season opponents on this year’s slate all recorded winning marks in 2007 and boasted a combined .646 winning percentage.

In addition to the home matches with ECU, Wake Forest, and Charlotte, Francis Marion will also entertain Eastern Kentucky University (Sept. 28), Liberty University (Oct. 5), Winthrop University (Oct. 8), Coastal Carolina University (Oct. 27), South Carolina State University (Oct. 29), and Campbell University (Nov. 1). FMU owns an all-time home record of 88-16-5.

Last season, FMU finished as the 15th highest scoring team in NCAA Division I, scoring 45 goals for a 2.50 goals per match average.

Francis Marion University 2008 Women’s Soccer Schedule

Date Opponent Time Site
Aug. 15 at East Tennessee State (exhibition) 5:30 Johnson City, TN
Aug. 22 at Charleston Southern University 4:00 Charleston, SC
Aug. 24 East Carolina University 2:00 FLORENCE

Aug. 29 Wake Forest University 4:00 FLORENCE
Sept. 5 vs Furman University ^ 5:00 Columbia, SC
Sept. 7 vs Clemson University ^ 11:30 am Columbia, SC

Sept. 12 vs UNC Wilmington % 12:00 Boone, NC

Sept. 14 at Appalachian State University % 3:00 Boone, NC
Sept. 21 Charlotte 2:00 FLORENCE

Sept. 26 at Navy 7:00 Annapolis, MD

Sept. 28 Eastern Kentucky University 1:00 FLORENCE

Oct. 3 at Presbyterian College 7:00 Clinton, SC

Oct. 5 Liberty University 2:00 FLORENCE

Oct. 8 Winthrop University 4:00 FLORENCE
Oct. 17 at University of Missouri 7:30 Columbia, MO
Oct. 19 at University of Kansas 1:00 Lawrence, KS
Oct. 22 at Longwood University 7:00 Farmville, VA
Oct. 27 Coastal Carolina University 4:00 FLORENCE
Oct. 29 South Carolina State University 4:00 FLORENCE
Nov. 1 Campbell University 12:00 FLORENCE