Women's Soccer | 7/13/2023 1:45:00 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University head women's soccer coach Bryan Madej has announced the program's 2023 schedule. The lineup features two teams from the state of New Jersey and five regional schools in the non-conference portion, followed by a nine-game slate of USA South opponents.
 
The reigning USA South champs embark on a trip to the state of New Jersey to start their season, facing Stockton University (9/1) and Kean University (9/2) on back-to-back days. Both teams hail from the New Jersey Athletic Conference, which is the same conference in which Rowan University – the school that Methodist faced in the 2022 NCAA Tournament – competes.
 
Upon returning home, the Monarchs host familiar opponents in Averett University (9/6) and Eastern Mennonite University (9/10). Facing both schools away from home last season, Methodist earned a win over the Royals of EMU while playing the Cougars of Averett to a draw. Rounding out a three-game stretch of opponents from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, the Monarchs make the short drive to Greensboro, N.C. to take on Guilford College (9/13).
 
Methodist's remaining two non-conference matches include a game at Warren Wilson College (9/16), followed by a rematch against Christopher Newport University (9/20). The No. 1-ranked Captains of CNU defeated Methodist on their home turf in Newport News, Va. last season, but this time around the match will be played in Fayetteville.
 
The Monarchs enter conference play with the potential to go a perfect 9-0 against USA South foes for the third consecutive season. It all starts with a trip to Buena Vista, Va. on Sept. 23 to take on the Knights of Southern Virginia University, whom Methodist defeated in last year's USA South Championship match.
 
Next, the Monarchs host Salem College (9/30) and William Peace University (10/3) before returning to Virginia to face Mary Baldwin University on Oct. 7, then traveling to Greensboro College on Oct. 11. The Pride of Greensboro nearly topped Methodist in the semifinal round of last year's USA South Tournament before the Monarchs earned a win in overtime.
 
The final stretch of the regular season includes a home match versus Brevard College (10/14), road contests at Meredith College (10/17) and North Carolina Wesleyan University (10/21), and a regular-season finale against Pfeiffer University at Duggins Soccer Stadium on Oct. 28.