Greenville, S.C. - The Furman women's soccer team will play eight home matches at Stone Soccer Stadium in 2011, including an August 19, season-opening battle against the University of Georgia Bulldogs, it was announced on Tuesday by Paladin head coach Andrew Burr.
"We can't wait to get the 2011 season underway," said Burr. "This year's schedule is challenging from top to bottom with some excellent opponents coming to Stone Stadium."
The season opening matchup against Georgia will kickoff at 8 p.m. and be followed by a trip to Vanderbilt two days later. After an August 26, home match against Presbyterian and matches at Jacksonville University's tournament against the host Dolphins and the University of North Florida, Furman will take part in the annual Carolinas' Cup September 9 and 11 in Clemson, S.C. The Paladins face UNC Wilmington in the tournament opener before battling against the host team on Sunday.
Road games at Florida Atlantic and Stetson cap the non-conference portion of the schedule before Davidson and Georgia Southern visit Stone Stadium to open Southern Conference play on September 23 and 25, respectively. The home slate also contains visits from Samford (Oct. 9), College of Charleston (Oct. 21), The Citadel (Oct. 23) and Wofford (Oct. 26).
Furman returns seven starters from a 2010 squad that posted a 9-8-3 record that included a 3-0 thrashing of SEC foe Alabama. Among the cast of returning starters are the SoCon's co-scoring leaders Martha Hall and Rachel Shelnutt. The dynamic senior duo netted 10 goals apiece last season. Also, the Paladins return senior goalkeeper Jessica Smith who posted a 1.07 goals against average in 2010.