Men's Soccer | 6/15/2018 1:09:00 PM

2018 Schedule

FAIRFAX, Va. – Nine home games and three road tests against 2017 NCAA Tournament teams highlight the 2018 schedule for the George Mason men's soccer team.

The Patriots revealed their fall schedule, which includes road games against NCAA Tournament participants Coastal Carolina, Massachusetts and VCU. Mason also welcomes nine teams into George Mason Stadium, beginning with Drexel on Aug. 31.

"We are excited about the 2018 schedule, which provides some exciting and challenging games," head coach Greg Andrulis said. "Our out-of-conference schedule will provide us with a variety of competition with varying tactical distinctions that will prepare us for the Atlantic 10 schedule. This is a balanced and competitive schedule that brings some very good teams to Mason as well as provides us some challenges on the road."

Mason begins the fall with the season opener at crosstown rival American on Aug. 24 in Washington, D.C. The Patriots defeated American, always a contender in the Patriot League, with a 3-0 shutout in Fairfax last year. The Eagles are coached by 1988 Mason grad Todd West.

They then play three straight games at home, beginning with former CAA opponent Drexel on Aug. 28. The Patriots last played the Dragons in 2012. Mason also hosts Mount St. Mary's on Sept. 7 on the homestand. The Mount is in their first year back after reviving their program. Former Mason assistant coach Trevor Singer is now on the staff at Mount St. Mary's. Mason wraps up the home stretch on Sept. 9 against Gardner-Webb as the teams will meet for the first time on the pitch.

The Patriots hit the road to play perennial power Coastal Carolina on Sept. 16. The Chanticleers finished the season ranked 15 th in the United Soccer Coaches poll and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champ Stanford.

Arguably Mason's biggest win of the 2017 season came against Coastal Carolina last August in Fairfax. The Patriots defeated then- No. 19 Coastal Carolina 2-1 for their first win over a ranked opponent in three years.

Mason heads to Yale on Sept. 21 in New Haven, Conn., to wrap up the road trip. Former Mason volunteer assistant coach Nate Kopunek begins his second year as Yale's director of operations and player personnel. The only other time the Patriots have played Yale came in 2006 with a 1-0 Mason victory in overtime.

The Patriots return home to play in-state foe Longwood on Sept. 26. Mason wraps up its non-conference schedule against Appalachian State on Sept. 29 at George Mason Stadium. It will be the teams' first meeting since 2003.

Mason opens Atlantic 10 play on Oct. 3 against Revolutionary Rival George Washington at George Mason Stadium. The Patriots face a big test in their A-10 road opener against defending conference regular-season and tournament champ Massachusetts on Oct. 6 in Amherst, Mass. The Minutemen are led by former Mason head coach Fran O'Leary, who guided the Patriots from 2001-04.

The rest of the A-10 schedule includes contests against La Salle (away), Duquesne (home), Saint Joseph's (home), VCU (away), Davidson (away) and Rhode Island (home).

The first round of the conference tournament will be held on campus sites on Nov. 3. The semifinals and championship game will be held from Nov. 9-11 on the campus of Saint Louis University.