May 10, 2010
The Kentucky women’s soccer team has announced its 2010 schedule, which is highlighted by games against eight NCAA Tournament teams, including three Sweet 16 teams and one Elite Eight performer.
In addition to contests against NCAA Tournament teams Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, the schedule also features six conference home dates and 11 total matches at the UK Soccer Complex.
“We’re always going to play top competition to prepare for the very rigorous SEC schedule,” said UK head coach Jon Lipsitz. “We will be extremely young with only three seniors, and for our younger players, the early part of the schedule will be a great introduction to the increased demands of collegiate soccer. It will be very important for us to mature and come together as a team quickly.”
The Wildcats kick off the second year of the Lipsitz Era with two straight home games, including the season opener on Saturday, Aug. 21 against Coastal Carolina, followed by another home date against border rival Indiana on Friday, Aug. 27. UK and IU haven’t met since the 2002 season.
UK wastes no time being tested on the road, traveling to Wake Forest Sept. 3-5 to take on the Demon Deacons and Virginia Tech. Wake Forest, a traditional ACC power, advanced to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked eighth. Virginia Tech finished as high as 10th in one poll and advanced to the Sweet 16 of last year’s NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats play a third-straight road game at Louisville on Sept. 9 before opening a five-game home stand which includes the 2010 SEC opener against last year’s regular season SEC champion Florida and defending SEC Tournament champion South Carolina. The Gamecocks also advanced to the Sweet 16 of last year’s NCAA Tournament.
In league play, UK will also host Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
For the eighth straight season, the SEC will hold its postseason tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama. This year’s tournament is scheduled for early November, running from Nov. 3-7.
