GREENWOOD – The Lander men's soccer team and head coach Lee Squires are pleased to announce the upcoming 2022 schedule.
After a 2021 season that saw the Bearcats go 11-8 and end in the Peach Belt Conference Semifinals, the Blue and Gold are looking to get back on the pitch.
"Our fall schedule is certainly challenging but we want to test ourselves each year against quality non-conference opposition, to go along with the battles we face in the PBC," said Squires. "If we perform consistently throughout the regular season like we know we are capable of, then this type of schedule should prepare us well for any post-season play. It's important our preparation is strong to meet these challenges and come out on top. We can't wait to get started in August!"
Lander will begin the season away from Van Taylor Stadium for its first four games. The Blue and Gold will take a trip to Lees-McRae to begin the season on Aug. 25 before taking on Chowan on Aug. 27 at Lees-McRae as well. Lander has not played Lees-McRae since 2014 when Lander fell 3-0 to the Bobcats on the road.
After a stint in Banner Elk, N.C., Lander then travels south to the Sunshine State for a pair of contests. First up will be the Palm Beach Atlantic Sail Fish on Sept. 2. PBA 13-3 last season and made the NCAA Tournament before losing to Nova Southeastern in the South Regional. The Bearcats then make their way to Lynn University to battle the Flying Knights on Sept. 4. The Flying Knights went 12-4 in a tough Sunshine State Conference before losing to No. 6 Barry 2-1 in double overtime in the SSC Quarterfinals.
Lander finally returns home to begin Peach Belt Conference action with a visit from North Georgia on Sept. 7. North Georgia went 6-11-1 last season while going 1-2 against the Bearcats with the most recent meeting being a 4-0 victory for Lander in the PBC Quarterfinals. The Bearcats conclude their non-conference schedule with a visit from the University of Tampa on Sept. 10. The then No. 9 Spartans went 13-5 before falling to Auburn-Montgomery 1-0 in double overtime in the NCAA second round.
The Bearcats return to conference action and the road as they travel to USC Aiken on Sept. 14. Lander went 2-0 against the Pacers which included a 6-0 victory at Van Taylor Stadium. The Blue and Gold return home to face conference foe Young Harris on Sept. 17. The Mountain Lions defeated Lander in both meetings while going 18-0-2 and reaching the NCAA Tournament Third Round before losing to Auburn-Montgomery in PKs.
Lander hits the road for a pair of games as it travels to battle Clayton State on Sept. 21 and Georgia Southwestern on Sept. 24. Lander went 1-2 against the Lakers, which saw a 2-0 loss in the PBC Semifinals while the Bearcats went 1-1 against the Hurricanes last season.
After a pair of road contests, the Bearcats are back home for a pair of games. First up are the Saints of Flagler College on Sept. 28 while the Pacers close out the homestand on Oct. 5. Lander went 2-0 against the Saints which saw a 2-1 victory on the road in double overtime and a 3-1 win on Senior Day at home last season.
Lander then travels to Young Harris on Oct. 8 before it hosts Clayton State and Georgia Southwestern on Oct. 12 and 15. The Bearcats conclude the regular season on the road as they travel to North Georgia and Flagler on Oct. 19 and 22.
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