Men's Soccer Announces Spring Schedule - RHODE ISLAND OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

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Men's Soccer Announces Spring Schedule

Rams kick off the non-traditional slate at Siena on March 29.

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March 24, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island men's soccer team will begin its spring season at Siena on March 29 (4 p.m.) and will continue play thru the end of April, wrapping up its non-traditional schedule with the annual Alumni Game in Kingston on April 26.

"The players and staff are excited to get outside and meet the challenge of our very competitive spring schedule," said URI head coach John O'Connor. "Our young players, who found it difficult to see playing time in the fall with all of our veterans, will have a great opportunity to develop their decision making under the pressure of an opponent and improve their play."

On Saturday, March 29, Rhode Island will travel to Siena for a 90 minute game against the Saints and their new head coach (and former Rhody assistant and alum) Gareth Elliott. "Gareth and I found out we had an open date and thought, why not" said O'Connor. "They have a nice field turf facility which is perfect for the early spring season and we know Gareth will put on a good game".

On April 5, URI travels to Amherst, Mass. for to play the 2007 NCAA College Cup semifinalist UMass Minutemen.

"The game should be a great gauge to see where we are, as UMass returns close to the entire team that was a game away from a national championship," added O'Connor.

On April 12, the Rams travel to Lancaster, Mass. to participate in the Toyota College Classic. They open the tournament at 9 a.m. against Central Connecticut, which reached the Round of 16 in the 2007 NCAA Division I tournament before falling to UMass. Following that match, Rhody will play Quinnipiac at 1 p.m. to finish off the tournament.

Wednesday April 16 the Rhody men visit the UMass Lowell for a 7 p.m. tilt with their NCAA Division II foe. Last spring, UML and URI tied 0-0 in Kingston.

On Saturday, April 19 the Rams are on the road again to play in the first annual Maine Spring Invite. URI will play Southern New Hampshire at 12:45 p.m. before facing Maine at 2 p.m. Both games will be played on field turf at Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Rhode Island concludes its spring schedule with the annual Alumni Game and team banquet on Saturday April 29. The game will begin at 1 p.m. with the end of the year banquet slated to begin at 4 p.m. at Lilianna's Restaurant inside the Holiday Inn in South Kingstown. Tickets are $25 per person. For additional details or to register for the event contact assistant coach Mitch Stone (401-874-2560/stone@mail.uri.edu).

"We're real excited for this spring season to begin after all of the hard work our boys have have put in throughout the winter months, said O'Connor. "It will be interesting to see the results."

2008 Rhode Island Men's Soccer Spring Schedule
Sat. 3/29 - at Siena - Loudonville, N.Y. - 4 p.m.
Sat. 4/5 - at Massachusetts - Amherst, Mass. - 1 p.m.
Sat. 4/12 - vs Central Connecticut (Toyota College Classic) - Lancaster, Mass. - 9 a.m.
Sat. 4/12 - Quinnipiac (Toyota College Classic) - Lancaster, Mass. - 1 p.m.
Wed. 4/16 - at UMass Lowell - Lowell, Mass. - 7 p.m.
Sat. 4/19 - vs Southern New Hampshire (Maine Spring Inv.) - Cape Elizabeth, Maine - 12:45 p.m.
Sat. 4/19 - vs Maine (Maine Spring Inv.) - Cape Elizabeth, Maine - 2 p.m.
Sat. 4/26 - Alumni Game & Team Banquet - Kingston, R.I. - 1 p.m.