University of Albany Releases Men's Soccer Schedule for 2008 Season

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Monday, July 28 the school's men's soccer schedule for 2008. The Great Danes will play a 17-match schedule, including tournaments in San Diego and Pittsburgh.

UAlbany kicks off its 10th season as a NCAA Division I program at the Robert Morris Invitational. The Great Danes open up against Pittsburgh on Friday, Aug. 29, at 2:30 p.m. Two days later, the team will face host Robert Morris. The following weekend, the Great Danes travel to southern California for the Courtyard by Marriott Central San Diego Tournament. UAlbany will face San Diego on Sept. 5 and San Diego State on Sept. 7.

The Great Danes stay on the road and square off against Rhode Island on Friday, Sept. 12, and Cornell on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The team’s home opener at Varsity Field will be against crosstown-rival Siena on Sunday, Sept. 21. The club will then face Marist on the road the following Sunday.

UAlbany opens America East Conference play against 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Boston University on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Great Danes will play regular-season champion Binghamton in their conference home debut on Oct. 8. Conference opponents Stony Brook, UMBC and America East Tournament Champion Vermont will also visit Varsity Field. UAlbany also matches up against New Hampshire, Hartford and Maine on the road.

Head coach Johan Aarnio enters his ninth season in charge of the Great Dane program. He will oversee a club which returns nine starters and all of its goal scoring from a year ago. Senior goalkeeper Steward Ceus, who has been the team’s regular starter in net since his freshman season, played every minute last year and finished with 83 saves, three shutouts and a 1.59 goals against average.

2008 University at Albany Men’s Soccer Schedule

August – 29 (Fri.), vs. Pittsburgh^, 2:30; 31 (Sun.), at Robert Morris^, 2:00;

September – 5 (Fri.), at San Diego+, 10:00; 7 (Sun.), at San Diego State+, 4:00; 12 (Fri.), at Rhode Island, 7:00; 17 (Wed.), at Cornell, 7:00; 21 (Sun.), Siena, 3:00; 28 (Sun.), at Marist, TBA;

October – 4 (Sat.), at Boston U.*, 7:00; 8 (Wed.), Binghamton*, 4:00; 11 (Sat.), at New Hampshire, 4:00; 15 (Wed.), Stony Brook*, 4:00; 18 (Sat.), UMBC*, 1:00; 22 (Wed.), at Hartford*, 7:00; 25 (Sat.), Bryant, 1:00; 29 (Wed.), at Maine*, 3:00;

November – 2 (Sun.), Vermont*, 1:00;

*America East Conference Opponent
^Robert Morris Invitational

+Courtyard by Marriott Central San Diego Tournament

All Times Eastern