Greenville, S.C. -- The Furman women's soccer team will play 11 home matches at Stone Stadium during the 2012 season, including five Southern Conference contests and a non-league bout with Atlantic Coast Conference member Clemson, it was announced on Thursday by Paladin head coach Andrew Burr.
Furman opens its 2012 campaign on August 17, when it hosts the University of North Florida in an 8 p.m. contest at Stone Stadium that will serve as a major event during the school's annual Orientation Weekend. After a trip to Southeastern Conference member Georgia two days later, the Paladins entertain Clemson on August 24, at 7 p.m. The Paladins' non-conference schedule also includes home matches versus Troy, UNC Asheville, Jacksonville and Stetson, as well as, a road trip to Presbyterian.
"We are thrilled with our 2012 schedule and very excited to have early non-conference home matches against North Florida and Clemson,' said Burr, who is entering his seventh season at the helm of the Furman women's soccer program. "Our hope is that this schedule will not only prepare us for an always tough SoCon season, but also provide some entertaining matchups for our fans at Stone Stadium."
Southern Conference play begins for Furman with a weekend trip to Charleston to face The Citadel (Sept. 21) and College of Charleston (Sept.23) before a visit to league power Samford on September 27. Furman will entertain Chattanooga, UNCG, Elon, Western Carolina and Appalachian State during a five-match homestand before closing the regular season with trips to Georgia Southern, Davidson and Wofford.
The top eight finishers in the SoCon regular season standings earn a berth to the league tournament with the top four seeds hosting first round matches on October 28. The SoCon semifinals and finals will be held November 2-4, in Birmingham, Ala.
Furman returns eight starters from a 2011 squad that posted a 12-8-2 overall record and 6-3-2 SoCon mark. The Paladins will have to replace 2011 SoCon Player of the Year Rachel Shelnutt and senior goalkeeper and All-SoCon pick Jessica Smith.
Among Furman's eight returning starters are defender Ali Simpson, a first team All-SoCon and SoCon All-Freshman choice, and fellow SoCon All-Freshman selection India Robinson (MF). The Paladins also return forward Martha Hall, who redshirted last season after leading the league with 10 goals in 2010.
The Paladins posted a 6-0-0 record during their 2012 Spring schedule that included 3-0 victories over both Georgia State and USC Upstate.