Complete 2009 Schedule

DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia College & State University head men’s soccer coach Pat Parris has announced the 2009 schedule that features two exhibition games, and 18 regular season matches, including eight home contests.

The balanced schedule features road games throughout the 2009 season, with back-to-back away games on four different occasions, while traveling to Columbus State University for a neutral matchup with Harding on September 18, before heading to Lees-McRae for the final road game of the season on October 17.

“The 2009 schedule is meant to challenge my players mentally and physically,” head coach Pat Parris said. “We are looking forward to the classic battles that will take place within the Peach Belt Conference, especially with our new respected teams Flagler and Montevallo.”

After a road trip to Florida Southern and St. Leo to open the regular season, the Saints return home to host Erskine College, Nova Southeastern, and Tampa University in a four-day stretch the first week of September.

North Georgia opens the Peach Belt Conference portion of the 2009 schedule on the road at USC Aiken on September 12, before returning home to face Lander University on September 26. Trips to Clayton State, Francis Marion, and Montevello round out the league schedule on the road, while the Saints will welcome Georgia Southwestern, Flagler, and finally UNC Pembroke to town to close out the regular season.

In 2008, the Saints finished the season with a record of 8-11-1, posting a 2-3-1 mark in the Peach Belt Conference to finish fourth place in the league. North Georgia hosted the program’s first-ever Peach Belt Conference Tournament game and advanced to the Final Four of the PBC Tournament for the second straight year.

“Several teams on our schedule have had the experience of playing in the NCAA Tournament,” Parris said.  “Playing these teams in the past has taught us a lot about ourselves.”

Follow the Saints all season long at www.SaintsSports.com, with free text message updates through eScores, and every step of the way on Twitter.