Columbus State soccer season begins Sept. 2
The Columbus State soccer team came up one win shy of winning the NCAA Division II national championship last season.
The quest to return to the title game begins this season on Sept. 2.
"It is very exciting to announce our schedule for the upcoming year because it means we are one step closer to stepping on the field," CSU coach Jay Entlich said in a news release. “We always believe in playing a very challenging schedule and this year is no different.
“Every opponent on our schedule can give us a tough match and we will have to stay disciplined to get the result that we want. We are excited to take on the challenge and can't wait to begin training."
CSU opens its 18-game regular-season schedule in the CSU Collegiate Invitational.
The Cougars host North Alabama on Sept. 2 and Wingate on Sept. 4.
Both teams finished 15-3-2 records and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
CSU will play at Barry on Sept. 11 in a rematch of last year’s national quarterfinal match that CSU won 2-0.
The Cougars will open Peach Belt Conference play at home against USC Aiken on Sept. 17.
CSU will play at Armstrong State on Oct. 26. Either CSU or Armstrong State has won the PBC regular-season title every year since since 2005.
Notes: CSU won a program record 22 games last season. … CSU has won nine PBC regular-season titles and six tournament titles. … The CSU Collegiate Invitational will take place over four days, Sept. 1-4. It will includes 11 teams playing a total of 10 games, including three men’s matches.
2016 schedule
Sept. 2—North Alabama, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4—Wingate, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 9—at Lynn, 6 p.m.
Sept. 11—at Barry, 11 a.m.
Sept. 14—at Lee, 6 p.m.
Sept. 17—USC Aiken, 1 p.m.
Sept. 21—at North Georgia, 6 p.m.
Sept. 24—at UNC Pembroke, 1 p.m.
Sept. 28—at West Florida, 5 p.m.
Oct. 1—Lander, 3 p.m.
Oct. 5—Clayton State, 6 p.m.
Oct. 8—Georgia Southwestern, 1 p.m.
Oct. 12— at Young Harris, 5 p.m.
Oct. 15—Francis Marion, 1 p.m.
Oct. 19—at Montevallo, 6 p.m.
Oct. 22—at Flagler, 1 p.m.
Oct. 26—at Armstrong State, 6 p.m.
Oct. 29—Georgia College, 1 p.m.
This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Columbus State soccer season begins Sept. 2."