web Charlotte

July 9, 2009

Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte 49ers men's soccer team, who won 12 games, captured three regular-season tournament titles and earned the program's first national ranking in ten years last season, face a challenging schedule in 2009. The 49ers schedule is highlighted by seven regular-season homes games as well as games against 2008 NCAA Tournament participants Dayton, UNC Greensboro, Saint Louis, Wake Forest and Winthrop. Charlotte returns eight starters and 15 letterwinners and welcomes ten newcomers to a 2009 49ers team which begins the season with a home exhibition game against Gardner-Webb, Sunday, August 23.

"We are excited about the schedule," said Charlotte coach Jeremy Gunn, who enters his third season at the helm of the 49ers men's soccer program. "This is without a doubt the strongest schedule we have had since I have been at Charlotte. We have a lot of very good programs on our schedule. Our team is very excited about proving themselves against some of the top teams in our region and in the country."

The 49ers begin the 2009 season with two exhibition games in August. First, the 49ers host Gardner-Webb in an exhibition game which is part of the 49ers New Year event on Sunday, August 23. Then, Charlotte hosts their annual Alumni game, Saturday, August 29.

The month of September features the second Charlotte/Nike Invitational as well as road games against South Carolina, Clemson, UNC Greensboro and two-time College Cup participant Wake Forest. Charlotte kicks off the regular-season at longtime rival South Carolina, Tuesday, September 1. Then, the 49ers remain on the road with a game at Elon, Friday, September 4. Charlotte concludes their regular-season opening three-game road swing at ACC foe Clemson, Wednesday, September 9. The 49ers face Campbell in their home opener, Saturday, September 12. Then, the 49ers look to capture their second straight Charlotte/Nike Invitational title when they welcome Appalachian State, Cal-State Bakersfield and Winthrop to Transamerica Field. The 49ers begin play in the Invitational against Coach Gunn's alma mater Cal-State Bakersfield, Friday, October 18. Then, the 49ers conclude the Invitational with a game against Winthrop, Sunday, September 20. The 49ers conclude the month with road games at UNC Greensboro, Saturday, September 26 and Wake Forest, Tuesday, September 29.

Charlotte plays four of their seven games in October at home. The 49ers travel to Furman for their final non-conference game, Saturday, October 3. Then, the 49ers begin A-10 play with home games against George Washington, Friday, October 9 and Richmond, Sunday, October 11. Charlotte travels to Saint Louis for their first A-10 road game, Saturday, October 17. Charlotte returns home to play La Salle, Friday, October 23 and Fordham, Sunday, October 25 in their final two regular-season home games. The 49ers conclude the month with a road game at Dayton, Friday, October 30.

The 49ers finish the regular-season with three road games in early November. First, the 49ers complete their weekend trip to Ohio with a game at Xavier, Sunday, November 1. Then, the 49ers conclude the regular-season with road games in the City of Brotherly Love against Saint Joseph's, Friday, November 6 and Temple, Sunday, November 8. Then, Charlotte will play in the A-10 Championships at Rhode Island, Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15.