Texas State Women’s Soccer 2016 Schedule

by Phillip Pongratz, TXST Assistant Sports Information Director

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State soccer team released its 2016 schedule, announced by head coach Kat Conner on Wednesday. The slate features nine home games with five coming in Sun Belt Conference play.

“There is some great competition and if you haven’t come out to see a women’s soccer game, come out for any of these games and you will see some great players and coaching,” Conner said. “There is not a game to miss with a great atmosphere in the stands.”

The season begins with three road matches in the first four contests. First up is an exhibition at Incarnate Word on Saturday, August 13 at 7 p.m. The regular season kicks off on August 19 at Lamar followed by the home opener two days later against Prairie View A&M.

Following a trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana to take on McNeese State, the Bobcats welcome Houston to town on August 28.

“We went over to Houston last year and took one from them after they were unable to finish some golden opportunities,” Conner said. “I know they will be hungry to come over here and see if they can get one.”

“We encourage everyone to come out for that game because we will need our stands packed. Both I and Chris Pfau (Houston’s head coach) are very strategic and tactical in how we like to play the game. If you are a big fan of soccer, you will want to come and see this game.”

Starting off September, Texas State heads westward over Labor Day weekend for games against New Mexico State and UTEP. The contest against the Miners will be the final road non-conference matchup of the season.

“UTEP always gives us trouble and are very athletic,” Conner stated. “It is a physiological battle being over at their place because they pack the stands with rowdy fans. It makes for a great atmosphere for college soccer but a young team that is trying to pull together wins before conference play will be tested mentally.”

A four-game homestand awaits the Bobcats beginning Sept. 9 against Stephen F. Austin followed two days later with a contest with Northwestern State, the final non-conference opponent of the year. Sun Belt Conference play begins the weekend of Sept. 16 against Little Rock and Georgia State.

“Georgia State was a thorn in our side last year,” said Conner. “We beat them here but lost to them in the conference tournament. The Panthers are always a well-coached program that brings in good recruits every year.

The Bobcats close out September with road games at Appalachian State (23rd), Georgia Southern (25th) and UL Lafayette (30th).

On October 2, Texas State faces Coastal Carolina, the newest member of the SBC, at the Bobcat Soccer complex. A week later the Bobcats take on Arkansas State in San Marcos.

The final road games of the regular season sees Texas State travel to the state of Alabama to take on South Alabama and Troy on Oct. 14 and 16, respectively.

“USA is a great squad, very athletic and has won the last three conference titles,” said Conner. “They set you up to expose you 1v1, along with Troy. It will be hard to travel over there and gain wins off either of them.”

UL Monroe makes the haul to Central Texas for the Bobcats’ Senior Day on Oct. 23 and to close out the regular season.

With a top eight finish in the conference standings, Texas State would qualify for the SBC Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The 2016 tournament takes place November 2-6 in Foley, Alabama at the newly opened Foley Sports Tourism Complex. It will be the first time ever that the conference tournament is at a neutral site.

For more information on the Texas State soccer team, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow on Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.