ELON, N.C. - Elon University head women's soccer coach Chris Neal has announced his team's schedule for the 2011 season, which includes nine home games on campus at Rudd Field. Elon will open the season at home on August 21 against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams.
Four days after taking on the Rams, the Phoenix welcomes Longwood to town on August 25 for a 7 p.m. contest under the lights at Rudd Field, the team's final home match until Sept. 9.
Elon will meet the Hokies of Virginia Tech for second time in history this season, as the two will face off on August 28 in Blacksburg, Va. The Phoenix and Hokies met last year at Rudd Field, as Virginia Tech managed to steal a 2-1 win over Elon.
Elon opens September with a pair of contests in Massachusetts, as the team travels to Amherst, Mass. on Sept. 2 to face UMass before taking on Harvard on Sept. 4 in Cambridge. The team's only other remaining away non-conference tilt will take place on Sunday, Sept. 18, when the Phoenix travels to Lynchburg, Va., to face Liberty.
The Phoenix plays its Southern Conference opener at home on Friday, Sept. 23, when it hosts Samford at 7 p.m. Last season, Elon went on the road and handed Samford its first ever SoCon home loss since joining the conference. Two days later, Elon will host Chattanooga at 2 p.m. at Rudd Field.
On Sunday, Oct. 23, seniors Andrea Keller and Noell McCain will play their final home game when the Phoenix hosts Western Carolina at 2 p.m. for Senior Day.
Elon closes out the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 26, with a trip to Greensboro to face Triad rival and defending SoCon champions UNCG at 7 p.m.
The first round of the SoCon Tournament begins on Sunday, Oct. 30, at campus sites before the winners move on to Greensboro for the remainder of the tournament, Nov. 4-6. Last year, Elon won its SoCon Tournament opener when the Phoenix went on the road and blanked College of Charleston, 1-0, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.