Northwestern University Athletics
Defending B1G Champions Announce 2012 Schedule
6/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
June 29, 2012
2012 Northwestern Men's Soccer Schedule • 2012 NU Men's Soccer Schedule 
EVANSTON, Ill. – After winning the double Big Ten championship in 2011, the Northwestern men's soccer team is prepared to defend both crowns in 2012 and now knows the road to get there. An 18-game regular-season schedule, with nine home matches, awaits while the 'Cats have the opportunity to keep their tournament title in Evanston as NU and Lakeside Field host the 2012 Big Ten Tournament, Nov. 7-11.
Season tickets are available for purchase by calling 1-888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775) or online by visiting the tickets page on NUsports.com.
Before the 2012 campaign officially kicks off, Northwestern will play a pair of exhibition matches in New Jersey, taking on Monmouth and Rutgers.
The 'Cats then open the season at home on Saturday, Aug. 25, when Xavier visits Lakeside Field for the second time in as many years. The following weekend, NU hits the road for the Gamecock Classic in Columbia, S.C., playing first-time opponent Kentucky (Aug. 31) and South Carolina (Sept. 2).
September continues to be a busy month for Northwestern as the team travels to DeKalb, Ill., for the NIU adidas Invitational (Sept. 7-9), hosts the Lakeside Classic (Sept. 14-19) and has three other matches. NU takes on Drake and Rhode Island in DeKalb and will face Iona and Milwaukee in its home tournament. Northern Illinois also will play in the Lakeside Classic.
Big Ten action officially begins Sunday, Sept. 23 at Lakeside Field when Michigan comes to town. Three days later, Wednesday, Sept. 26, NU hosts cross-town rival DePaul and September ends on the road at Michigan State on Sunday, the 30th.
October includes four nonconference games and three Big Ten games, two of which are at home. Another in-state rival awaits on Wednesday, Oct. 3, when NU plays at Bradley and the 'Cats return home on Tuesday, Oct. 9 to host Notre Dame, which has been an exciting matchup for Northwestern over the last few seasons.
Big Ten action continues at Lakeside Field against Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 14, and after a year hiatus, Northwestern will renew its longest nonconference rivalry (30 games) with Loyola Wednesday, Oct. 17 on the Ramblers' home pitch. Last year's game, which was scheduled to be played at Lakeside Field, was cancelled due to inclement weather, marking just the second time in NU history Loyola wasn't on the schedule (did not play each other in 2000).
NU plays its last two regular season home games on Oct. 21 when Penn State visits and on Oct. 24 as the nonconference portion of the schedule concludes with Northern Illinois. The team's annual Alumni Game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19, the same weekend as the Penn State match.
On the road to wrap up the regular season, Northwestern visits Wisconsin Sunday, Oct. 28 and Indiana on Thursday, Nov. 1.
The entire Big Ten Conference will then travel to Evanston to take part in the 2012 Big Ten Tournament, Wednesday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 11. NU has fond memories of the 2011 version, advancing past Indiana in the semifinals thanks to a 3-2 advantage on PKs and defeating Penn State 2-1 in the finals to win its first ever tournament title.
The 2012 Big Ten Network broadcast schedule will be released at a later date. Please note that all dates and times are subject to change and any changes will be announced on NUsports.com.
Many of the same faces from last year's championship team return as 16 letterwinners, including nine starters, are back in 2012. The 'Cats posted an 11-5-5 record and made its sixth NCAA tournament appearance in addition to its two conference titles. Reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Tim Lenahan enters his 12th season at the helm of the NU men's soccer program.
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