MEN'S SOCCER ANNOUNCES 2016 SCHEDULE

PETERSBURG, Va., (June 29, 2016) – Two games against defending NJCAA Division I champion Louisburg College and three games against teams representing the NCAA Division II and III ranks highlights the 18-game Richard Bland College men's soccer schedule.

Head coach Eduardo de Souza announced today that the Statesmen will open the 2016 season with a road contest against NCAA Division III Averett University on Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. That contest is one of three against teams from the NCAA, as Richard Bland hosts Frederick (MD.) Community College on Aug. 31 at 4 p.m., Division III North Carolina Wesleyan on September 13 at 4 p.m. and travels to Division II Johnson & Wales in Charlotte, N.C. on Oct. 23 for a 1 p.m. start.

Richard Bland faces Wake Tech Community College in the season home opener on Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. The Statesmen play nine home and nine away games and have a balanced home and away schedule in August and September. In October, however, Richard Bland will play two straight home games followed by four-straight away contests. The final two regular season games will be played at home.

"We have a strong schedule this year," says de Souza. "Not only do we face strong competition in the Region X Conference playing national champion Louisburg, but we play three NCAA institutions this year. It is a great opportunity for our student-athletes to compete against teams at the next level."

The Statesmen play 14 of 18 games against Region X Conference opponents, highlighted by a pair of games against NJCAA Division I national champion Louisburg College. The first meeting against the Hurricanes will be played at Richard Bland on Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. The Statesmen travel to Louisburg on Oct. 19 at 4 p.m.

The Region X Conference Tournament quarterfinals will be played at the site of the higher seed on Oct. 28-29. The Tournament semifinals and finals are held the first week in November.

Click here to view the 2016 men's soccer schedule.