Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Announce 2008 Schedule
7/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
July 2, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Fresh off one of its most successful seasons in school history, the Northwestern men's soccer program has announced its 2008 schedule. The Wildcats are set to play eight regular season home matches, including six that are being held under the lights. The slate gets underway August 29 with the annual Lakeside Classic.
NU plays a trio of exhibition matches prior to getting the regular season underway. The Wildcats host local Division II foe Lewis August 16 before heading out the East Coast. Northwestern travels to New Jersey as it faces Villanova August 21 before wrapping up the preseason slate two days later against St. John's.
The new Lakeside Field will be the host of the Lakeside Classic for the first time this season. Last season, prior to the new facility being completed, the Wildcats played the tournament at Loyola University Chicago's field as well as on their former home surface. San Francisco is Northwestern's first opponent of the season as the Dons come to Evanston August 29. Two days later, NU hosts IUPUI. Northern Illinois is also competing in the Classic.
NU hits the road for the first time the following weekend as it heads to Easton, Pa., for the Lafayette Classic. The 'Cats open the tournament by challenging Iona September 5 before taking on the host Leopards September 7.
Northwestern closes out the tournament portion of its season September 12 and 14 when it makes the short trip west to DeKalb for the for a fourth straight season. Xavier and Eastern Illinois are the opponents for the Wildcats in the tournament hosted by Northern Illinois.
Prior to opening Big Ten play, NU hosts two more non-conference foes. Loyola Marymount and Princeton converge on Evanston to take on the 'Cats September 19 and 21, respectively.
Northwestern gets conference action underway September 27 by once again facing Ohio State. The Wildcats would love to open their Big Ten season in a manner similar to last season when they traveled to Columbus and posted a 4-0 win over a Buckeyes squad that went on be the national runners-up.
The highlight of NU's non-conference season is up next three days later as it heads south to face perennial power Saint Louis. The last time the Wildcats and the Billikens met up in St. Louis, Northwestern eliminated SLU from the 2006 NCAA Tournament by posting a second-round 1-0 win en route to an appearance in the national quarterfinals.
Conference play resumes that Saturday as the Wildcats host Penn State. NU will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss in State College last season. The 'Cats hit the road for the first time in Big Ten play October 11 when it travels to Wisconsin. Northwestern topped the Badgers twice a year ago, including a 3-1 win in the Big Ten tournament.
Following a game against their alumni October 17, the Wildcats host Northern Illinois the October 22. Northwestern will be out for revenge after the Huskies rallied late to stun the 'Cats in double overtime in DeKalb last season. Northwestern concludes its regular season home slate that Saturday as Michigan comes to town for Senior Day.
NU's final three matches of the regular season are all away from Evanston. Following making the short trip to Loyola October 28, the Wildcats head to Michigan State November 2 and 2007 Big Ten regular season champion Indiana November 7.
Wisconsin is set to serve as the host of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament Nov. 13-16 in Madison. The NCAA tournament kicks off November 21 and 22 with first round action on campus sites. The 2008 Men's College Cup is slated for December 12 and 14 in Frisco, Texas, at the home facility of Major League Soccer's FC Dallas.
