JERSEY CITY, N.J. – In preparation for the 2019 fall season, the Saint Peter's women's soccer team and head coach
Melissa Sherwood announced the team's schedule on Thursday. The Peacocks will look to keep their momentum going in 2019, following the program's best finish in 20 years in the 2018 campaign.
"We have some familiar faces within non-conference, and we will be looking to improve on last season's performances in those games," said Sherwood. "We also welcome the return of a much strengthened NJIT side and will host two new opponents, Maine and Campbell. We will look to test our resolve against the strength of our new opponents."
For the first time since 2016, women's soccer will open up their regular season at home. The Peacocks begin 2019 at Jaroschak Field in Jersey City on Friday, August 23, when they will face off against Delaware State. Last season, the Peacocks traveled to Delaware, with the Hornets claiming a 1-0 victory. Saint Peter's remains at home for a game against Hampton on August 28. The Peacocks and Pirates have met annually since 2015, with Saint Peter's controlling a 2-1-1 series lead. The Peacocks' first away match of the season will send them to Newark, where they will take on in-state foe, NJIT. The last time that Saint Peter's faced off against the Highlanders was in 2017.
Saint Peter's returns for a three-game home stand, starting on Wednesday, September 4 when they take on Maine for the first time in program history. Following Maine, the Peacocks will play another new opponent, Campbell, on Sunday, September 8. The final home game of the stretch will be played against Lafayette on Wednesday, September 11. Last season, the Peacocks fell to the Leopards. The final non-conference match-up will send the Peacocks to Fairfield, Connecticut, where they are set to take on Sacred Heart on Saturday, September 14. In 2018, Sacred Heart defeated the Peacocks in Jersey City.
"This season we must use non-conference games to improve our overall record and more importantly prepare us for our objectives in conference play this year," added Sherwood.
The team opens MAAC play with two tough contests right off the bat. Conference actions begins with a home game against hOURglass Rival and defending MAAC champion, Monmouth on Saturday, September 21. Saint Peter's will then travel up to Loudonville for the following game on Saturday, September 28, where they will face off against the 2018 MAAC runner-up, the Siena Saints.
The Peacocks return home to play Fairfield on Wednesday, October 2. After leading for the entire first half in last year's match-up, the Peacocks eventually fell to the Stags. Saint Peter's will be on the road for the next two games, traveling first to hOURglass rival Rider on Wednesday, October 9, and then on to Iona on Saturday, October 12. The Peacocks finished strong against the Broncs and the Gaels last year, drawing 2-2 and winning 2-1, respectively. The Peacocks return home on Wednesday, October 16 when they take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats. In 2018, the Peacocks took a 1-0 victory against Quinnipiac, who was the top team in the MAAC at the time.
The next game will see the Peacocks travel to Buffalo, where they will play Canisius on Sunday, October 19. Saint Peter's took on the Golden Griffs at home last year, winning on a free kick from 40 yards out in the 36
th minute of the game to claim the win.
The Peacocks return home for two games against Marist and Niagara on Wednesday, October 23 and Saturday, October 26, respectively. Saint Peter's fell to both teams in 2018. The Peacocks will conclude their regular season on Wednesday, October 30, when they travel to Riverdale, NY to meet Manhattan.
The top six conference teams will qualify for the 2019 MAAC Women's Soccer Championship, from November 3-10. The tournament's first round will be hosted by the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, and the No. 1 seed will host the semifinals and final round. The top two seeds will also be awarded first round byes in the tournament.
"Last season we finished one place outside of the playoffs and we are all determined to go one better this season," Sherwood said. "We are all eagerly awaiting the season, which is fast approaching."
To follow women's soccer action all season long, visit
saintpeterspeacocks.com and follow the team on social media using the handle
@PeacocksWSOC.