Never one to shy away from playing against the elite college soccer’s programs in the country, UCSB will take on four perennial powerhouse teams at Harder Stadium during its 2010 men’s season.
The Gauchos will play host to Creighton, Davidson, UCLA and Duke in a season that will be capped by the university hosting the NCAA College Cup, the Division 1 soccer national semifinals and final, on Dec. 10 and 12.
In a marquee early-season homestand, Creighton visits Meredith Field on Sept. 7 and Davidson follows on Sept. 10. Creighton has qualified for 17 of the last 18 NCAA Tournament, while Davidson always gives ACC teams trouble and is usually the frontrunner in the Southern Conference.
Four-time national champion UCLA, which knocked the Gauchos out of last year’s NCAA Tournament, will return to Harder Stadium for the first time since 2006 on Sept. 24.
Duke will be making its first visit to UCSB for a nationally televised game on the Fox Soccer Channel on Oct 15. The last time the two teams met was in the 2004 NCAA College Cup national semifinals at the Home Depot Center, where the Gauchos won 5-0.
UCSB’s nonconference road schedule includes a West Region showdown at New Mexico on Sept. 4 and a return trip to Albuquerque for New Mexico’s tournament to face Harvard and Buffalo on Sept. 17 and 19.
The season kicks off on Aug. 21 with the annual Bryant & Sons exhibition game against Westmont. The Gauchos will then face an age-group national team from Mexico on Aug. 28 before officially opening their campaign at Ca State Bakersfield on Sept. 1.
They’ll begin defense of their Big West title on Sept. 29 at Cal State Fullerton. Their first home conference game is Oct. 2 against UC Davis.
Fans who purchase season ticket packages this season will receive tickets for the College Cup.
Season tickets start at $75 and include one ticket to all home men and women’s regular season games and one College Cup All Session ticket.
UCSB is also offering a special Family Plan. For just $175, a family of five (2 adults, 3 youth) can get tickets for all home men and women’s regular season games and two College Cup All Session tickets. Everyone who purchases a Family Plan will also get free GKids memberships for all youth 8th grade and under in their household.
All 2009 UCSB soccer season ticket holders and all Gaucho Fund donors may purchase tickets for the 2010 season starting May 3. Season tickets will be available to the general public on May 10. College Cup all-session tickets will be made available to non-season ticket holders on Sept. 1. They are priced at $60 for the Gold Zone, $40 for adult general admission and $30 for youth general admission (8th grade and younger)
For tickets and information, contact the UCSB ticket office at 893-UCSB.
UCSB’s 2010 men’s soccer schedule
Aug. 21 — Westmont (exhibition), 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 — Mexican national team (exhibition), 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 — at Cal State Bakersfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 — at New Mexico, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 — Creighton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 — Davidson, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17 — Harvard at New Mexico Tournament, 6 p.m.
Sept. 18 — Buffalo at New Mexico Tournament, 11 a.m.
Sept. 24 — UCLA, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 — at Cal State Fullerton*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 — UC Davis* 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 — Cal State Fullerton* 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 — Cal Poly* 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 — Duke# 8 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at UC Riverside* 6 p.m.
Oct. 20 — at UC Davis* 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 — Cal State Northridge* 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 — at Cal Poly* 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 — at UC Irvine* 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 — UC Riverside* 7 p.m.
Nov. 11 — Big West Tournament semifinals, TBD
Nov. 13 — Big West Tournament final, TBD
Nov. 18 — NCAA Tournament, First Round, TBD
Nov. 21 — NCAA Tournament, Second Round
Nov. 28 — NCAA Tournament, Third Round
Dec. 3-4-5 — NCAA Tournament, Quarterfinals
Dec 10 — NCAA College Cup Semifinals, at UCSB
Dec. 12 — NCAA College Cup Final, at UCSB
*Big West Conference match
#Televised on Fox Soccer Channel
