Women's Soccer | May 17, 2017

PHILADELPHIA—Head coach Paul Royal has announced the schedule for the upcoming 2017 La Salle women's soccer season.
 
"We are excited to launch another very competitive schedule in 2017," said head coach Paul Royal. "We feel this schedule will allow some of our younger players to gain invaluable playing experience against some very talented nonconference programs."
 
The Explorers open the season on August 18 with a home game against St. John's at McCarthy Stadium.  After a road match at Temple on August 20, the Blue and Gold welcome Iona on August 24 during La Salle's freshman orientation program.
 
"We're incredibly excited for the August 24th matchup with Iona as we welcome our 930-plus incoming freshmen as part of their Explorientation Program."
 
They'll also welcome Drexel to McCarthy Stadium on August 31 for nonconference action. La Salle will visit Penn (8/27), Farleigh Dickinson (9/3), Villanova (9/10) and play Delaware and West Virginia as part of a tournament at Princeton from September 15-17.  
 
"By scheduling nonconference games against teams like St. John's, Penn and West Virginia, we're confident our girls will grow into a championship caliber team once Atlantic 10 play begins," added Royal. "West Virginia spent most of last season ranked number 1 in the country and eventually lost in the College Cup Championship. We feel these challenges will greatly prepare us for one of the most competitive A-10 schedules in my 15 years at La Salle. "
 
La Salle opens conference play at home against Duquesne on September 21, and will also host Dayton (9/28), Davidson (10/5), Fordham (10/15) and VCU (10/22) in Atlantic 10 play. The women face conference road matches at Saint Joseph's (9/24), Rhode Island (10/1), Massachusetts (10/8), St. Bonaventure (10/12), and George Mason (10/19). 

The Atlantic 10 Championship will use a new format this season, with the Quarterfinal games being played on the campus of the higher seeds (Oct. 28-29). Advancing teams will head to Richmond for the Semifinal and Final (Nov. 2-5).