The Cal Poly women’s soccer team released its 2010 regular season schedule. Nineteen matches are slated, including games against San Diego State, Arizona and San Jose State, as well as exhibition contests against Azuza Pacific and Westmont College.
The most noteworthy contest will take place in Alex G. Spanos Stadium against the defending national champions on Sept. 10 — the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels finished last season with an overall mark of 23-3-1 and a conference record of 7-3. They won their 21st national championship last year, defeating top-ranked Stanford 1-0 in the championship game, and finished atop the ACC for the 20th time in the last 22 years.
But seven of the players from last year’s championship team, who started in the NCAA title game in 2009, will not be on the roster come opening weekend.
“The thought of beating them is amazing,” junior forward Monica Hemenez said. “We respect them, but that’s it … we have a chance to beat them.”
The Mustangs are trying to rebound from a loss in last year’s Big West Conference Tournament, falling to rival UC Santa Barbara in last year’s championship game. Cal Poly went (14-5-1, 7-1-0 Big West) and sent six players to all-conference teams last season.
To this point head coach Alex Crozier said none of that has rubbed off onto his expectations for next year.
“Our main focus right now is finding the right group and working hard in the offseason,” he said.
Cal Poly opens the season on Aug. 27 against Hawai’i in tournament play. The competition concludes the following day with a match against Long Island.
On Sept. 3, the Mustangs begin the home portion of their season against the 2009 WAC regular season champions San Jose State. The Mustangs were 7-1-1 at home last season and hope to continue their home success.
“We love the crowd support. It’s a very big advantage for us because we are so comfortable at home,” junior forward Morgan Miller said.
The Mustangs’ non-conference schedule looks to be one of the toughest as of late, with matches against the University of Arizona, Utah State, Weber State and Pepperdine. The Mustangs will also take on San Diego State — a 2009 NCAA tournament qualifier.
Crozier said playing a tough preseason will prepare his team for a very difficult conference schedule. Miller agreed.
“The experience of playing tougher teams will have us adjusted to play our conference games,” she said.
Cal Poly opens conference play at Long Beach State on Oct. 1 and continues its road trip to UC Riverside on Oct. 3.
Then the Mustangs return for a four-match stretch at home. They face UC Irvine on Oct. 8 and then Cal State Northridge on Oct. 10. The home stand continues with Pacific on Oct. 15 and is concluded by a match against non-conference Seattle on Oct. 17.
It’s the longest string of home matches all season — a positive break, Hemenez said.
“Home games are always great because it’s easier for fans to get to the game when it’s at home. When your fans outnumber those of the other team, it gives you confidence,” she said.
On Oct. 21 Cal Poly goes back on the road to face Cal State Fullerton and then heads to UC Davis on Oct. 24.
The Mustangs will head back home for a rivalry game against UC Santa Barbara. After losing the Big West tournament title to the Gauchos on penalty kicks, the Mustangs are looking for redemption.
“There’s always a rivalry with UCSB; just as much as the men’s team. We always want to play our hardest against them,” Hemenez said.
Cal Poly ends the regular season with Cal State Bakersfield on Oct. 31. Then after that comes the conference tournament — which the team expects to win. Crozier and Miller both said they have high expectations for the incoming freshmen and have goals to get to the NCAA tournament.
“I don’t see why we can’t be number one (in our conference),” Miller said.