Men's Soccer

Hartwick Men's Soccer Announces 2010 Schedule

ONEONTA, NY - The Men's Soccer program announced its 2010 fall schedule today which includes games against four teams that participated in 2009 NCAA Tournaments. Hartwick will also compete against the champions of the Atlantic Soccer Conference, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and the Mid-American Conference.

First-year head coach John Scott has created an exciting schedule that will prepare 'Wick as it looks for a return trip to the Mid-American Conference Championship. Scott's Hawks begin the campaign with three exhibition matches, two of which will be played at the friendly confines of Elmore Field.

Hartwick first opposes Penn State on the road on Saturday, Aug. 21st. The Nittany Lions, who finished with an overall record 12-8-2 last season, were the seventh seed in the 2009 NCAA Tournament before falling in the second round.

"I can't think of a better way to kick off the pre-season schedule than traveling to play against Penn State," Scott remarked. "They are an ideal opponent with an abundance of talented players and they have a premier soccer facility. This match will be an asset to all our players and will provide me with an early indication as to how well we can compete against quality opposition."

The Hawks host Le Moyne College on Elmore on Tuesday, Aug. 24th and wrap up their exhibition slate at home on Friday, Aug. 27th against Siena College. The Dolphins won the Northeast 10 Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Div. II Semifinals last year. Siena finished 8-8-3 last season.

"Playing the remaining pre-season matches on Elmore will provide an exciting finish to season preparations," said Scott. "It will give the Hartwick soccer community a chance to see how things are coming together before our first home games at the Mayor's Cup."

The Hawks open the regular season against defending MAAC regular season champion Iona on the road on Wednesday, Sept. 1. The Gaels went 14-2-3 last season before falling in their conference semifinals.

Hartwick last played Iona in 2000 in the only previous meeting between the two programs with the Hawks coming away with a 5-2 win. Hartwick looks for revenge as it travels to Ithaca, NY for a match with Cornell on Monday, Sept. 6th. Last season, the Big Red finished 6-6-5 with one victory coming on Elmore over the Hawks by a 1-0 final count early in the campaign.

Mayor's Cup XXXV kicks off on Friday, Sept. 10th with Northeastern, Columbia, and Syracuse joining 'Wick in the annual tournament. The Hawks open up with Columbia at 7:30 p.m. on the opening night of play and host Northeastern on Sept. 12th at 2:30 p.m. Hartwick is looking for its 20th cup title and first since 2007. Syracuse is coached by former 'Wick skipper and All-American Ian McIntyre.

"Syracuse will continue to be our partner for this event," added Scott. "A warm welcome to Ian will be reciprocated by us all when the time arrives."

The Hawks will next play in four non-conference matches in a 10-day span beginning Sept. 15th at Niagara University. The Purple Eagles lost in the MAAC Championship match last season with a final mark of 7-10-3. Hartwick and Niagara have met just once before in 2003 with the Blue and White winning 1-0.

The team returns to Elmore for a three-game home stand against Albany (Sept. 18th), Marist (Sept. 22nd) and Hartford (Sept. 25th). The Hawks are unbeaten against the Great Danes with a 7-0-1 all-time record and earned clean sheets against both the Red Foxes and Hartford Hawks last season. 'Wick tied Marist 0-0 in the second game of the year, and blanked Hartford 1-0 on Sept. 19th.

Buffalo comes calling on Tuesday, Sept. 28th as the Hawks start the Mid-American Conference schedule. 'Wick improved to 7-3-1 all-time against the Bulls after last season's 3-1 victory.

On October 2nd, Hartwick hits the road to take on Northern Illinois. The Huskies finished fourth in the MAC tables last year with the Hawks prevailing 2-1 in the two clubs' only meeting.

Hartwick returns to Elmore for two straight home matches against Adelphi (October 10th) and Bowling Green (October 16th). It will be the Hawks' 40th game against the Panthers since 1956 and first since the 2006 season. In 2009, the Panthers won the Atlantic Soccer Conference title with a 13-2-4 record. Bowling Green pulled off a 2-2 draw with Hartwick last year.

Four straight road matches will be in store for the Hawks from Oct. 20th through Oct. 30th, including a pair of MAC games. Brown welcomes 'Wick to open the road swing. The Bears (11-3-5 in 2009) finished second in the Ivy League and advanced to the NCAA Tournament before bowing in the second round.

The Hawks then head south for a pair of games in the Sunshine State. Hartwick battles Florida Atlantic in a MAC contest on October 22nd after earning a 1-0 shutout of the Owls last season. The team then travels to Miami to face Florida International two days later. In five previous meetings, the Hawks have never beaten or tied the Golden Panthers (0-5-0).

Hartwick visits Kalamazoo, MI to play Western Michigan on October 30th. The Broncos have not beaten 'Wick in six tries going 0-3-3 since 2007.

The regular season and MAC schedule wraps ups at Elmore on November 6th with no bigger foe in defending national runner-up Akron. Last season, the Hawks were the only team to hold a lead on the Zips, which they did on two separate occasions. The Hawks fell 3-2 in the regular season and 2-1 in the MAC Championship game.

The MAC semifinals kick off on November 12th at the top seed. The championship is slated for November 14th.

"Overall, I am very happy with the fall 2010 schedule," added Scott. "Our coaching staff looks forward with enthusiasm to our first full season in charge."

Full 2010 Hartwick Men's Soccer Schedule