CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Lesley University men’s soccer program announced its 2010 fall schedule today which includes 18 NCAA matches.  Along with their New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) schedule, the Lynx will expand their non-conference competition nationwide with matches against teams from Wisconsin, New York, and Illinois. 

Fifth year head coach Paul Vasconcelos has created an exciting schedule that will prepare the Lynx as they look to return to the NECC Championship with the hopes of making their first NCAA Tournament appearance with an automatic qualifying bid. 

“Overall, I am very happy with the 2010 fall schedule,” said Vasconcelos.  “Our coaching staff is looking forward to competing against some quality programs.”

Lesley opens up with a preseason match against Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.) on August 30 in Cambridge.

“I can’t think of a better start to our season than to play a quality program from the Midwest.  This match will be an asset to all our players and will provide us with an early indication as to how well we can compete against quality opposition.”

Lesley will play in nine non-conference matches to start the 2010 season including matches against Emerson College, Suffolk University, Curry College, and Emmanuel College.  The Lynx open the regular season against The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) opponent Eastern Nazarene College at home on Wednesday, September 1.  The Lynx beat the Lions 2-0 last year in their first ever confrontation.   

On September 19, Lesley will take a ride down to Long Island to play Skyline Conference champions St. Joseph’s College.  The Golden Eagles appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in 2009. 

The Fifth Annual Charles River Cup against Emerson College will be held on September 22 as the Lynx host the Lions.  Lesley hoisted the cup for the first time in four tries last season after a thrilling 4-2 victory.

Highlighting the NECC schedule will be two home matches on October 16 against Southern Vermont College and October 27 against Mitchell College.  Last season, Southern Vermont pulled off a 1-1 draw with the Lynx while Mitchell lost 1-0 at home to Lesley. 

The NECC regular season schedule ends on October 30 with a rematch of last year’s NECC Semifinals as Newbury College looks to avenge a 1-0 loss at the hands of the Lynx. 

The NECC playoffs begin on November 2 with the championship match slated for November  7.