VMI announces 2016 men’s soccer schedule

Looking forward to guiding the VMI men’s soccer program to excellence, first year head coach Michael Bonelli announced his team’s 2016 schedule.

Looking to avenge a season-opening loss to Longwood last year, the Keydets host the Lancers to open the year on Friday, Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. at Patchin Field. Five of the first seven games of the season will be played at Patchin as nearby Liberty will visit Lexington the following Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. After a road game at Howard on Sept. 3, VMI will host Buffalo at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9.

After another non-conference matchup at Gardner-Webb at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, VMI opens conference play at home versus Furman at 4 p.m. the following weekend. Just days later, the Keydets host another SoCon matchup with UNCG at 4 p.m. on Sept. 27.

Having hosted Virginia Tech in 2015, the Keydets will play visitor to the Hokies on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. in Blacksburg. VMI then returns to SoCon play with a home game against Mercer at noon on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Four of the final six regular season games will be played on the road as VMI will travel to ETSU, Furman, Mercer and UNCG in the final two weeks of the season. Over the span, the Keydets will host ETSU at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18 as well as Wofford at 4 p.m. onTuesday, Oct. 25.

The first round of the SoCon Tournament is slated to begin Saturday, Nov. 5. UNCG will host the semifinals and finals of the tourney onFriday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 13.

2016 VMI Men’s Soccer Schedule
Friday, Aug. 26 … Longwood … 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 30 … Liberty … 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 … at Howard … TBD
Friday, Sept. 9 … Buffalo … 1 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17 … at Gardner-Webb … 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 24 … Furman* … 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 27 … UNCG* … 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 1 … at Wofford* … 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 4 … at Virginia Tech … 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8 … Mercer* … 12 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 11 … at ETSU* … 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 15 … at Furman* … 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 18 … ETSU* … 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22 … at Mercer* … 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 25 … Wofford* … 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29 … at UNCG* … 7 p.m.

*Southern Conference