2013 Schedule
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Saint Peter's University women's soccer head coach Rob Bielan has announced his 2013 schedule. The slate is highlighted by 10 games at Jaroschak Field.
"I am very excited and optimistic overall with this season's schedule.," said Bielan "The matchups this year will test not only me and my staff, but the squad we have assembled here as well."
Bielan will make his Peacocks' head coaching debut at home against Wagner on Aug. 23. Saint Peter's lead the series with the Seahawks 8-6-2, but Wagner has won the last two meetings after the Peacock had won the previous four matchups.
It will be the ninth time in the program's 23 seasons the squad will play its inaugural game in Jersey City and for the second-straight campaign. It also marks the third time the two teams will tangle in the season opener and the first since 2011. The Peacocks will open up against a Northeast Conference opponent for the 13th time in team history.
Saint Peter's remains at home to welcome NJIT to town on Aug. 29. The Highlanders have won three-straight meetings to take a 4-2-1 advantage in the series.
The Peacocks will then hit the road for its first away game of the season at Penn on Sept. 6. It will be the first contest against the Quakers while Saint Peter's has lost its only two matches against Ivy League opponents.
The squad returns home for a five-game homestand, starting on Sept. 13 against LIU Brooklyn. It will be the first contest against the Blackbirds since 2004 with the Brooklyn program taking the last three tilts to grab a 3-1 edge in the series.
"The 10 games at home is a huge advantage coming from a comfort level of knowing your environment," said the first-year head coach. "It is also great for the Saint Peter's University community as well as the Hudson County residents because they can come watch a high caliber of soccer play in close proximity to their homes."
VMI joins the schedule for the first time in 2013 and will make the trek to Jersey City from Lexington, Va., on Sept. 15. The Peacocks lost its only meeting versus a Big South opponent against High Point in 2005.
Delaware State returns to the schedule after a one-year hiatus on Sept. 19 at Jaroschak Field to wrap up the non-conference slate. Saint Peter's leads the series 7-2, but the Hornets won the last meeting in 2011.
"The early non-conference schedule will be an asset to us in the way we approach and adjust to different styles of play," said Bielan. "The matchups will help enhance our squad cohesion, and tactically help prepare for conferences matches. The more competitive time the team has on the field together, the better confidence level going into our conference schedule."
The Peacocks then open up the new look Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) at home against new member Quinnipiac (Sept. 21) and against Fairfield (Sept. 25). The team will start the league slate at home for the 10th time in team history and for the third-straight seasons. The Bobcats have won all four meetings in the series, but the two teams have not played since 2007. The Stags are riding a 22-game unbeaten streak against Saint Peter's coming into the meeting in 2013.
After playing five games in a15-day span at home, Saint Peter's will hit the road to travel to Siena on Sept. 28 and then will head to Iona on Oct. 2. The Saints have won the last 14 meetings in the series to take a 16-4-1 margin in the matchup while Iona leads the series 11-8-2 with the two teams splitting the last two meetings.
The Peacocks return home on Oct. 5 to host Niagara. The Purple Eagles have won the last three tilts to take a 14-6 lead in the series. Saint Peter's then travels to Rider on Oct. 9. The Peacocks have split the last two meetings in the series with the Broncs holding a 12-4 edge in the matchup.
Marist will make its second-straight trip to Jaroschak Field on Oct. 12. Saint Peter's ended the Red Foxes perfect conference season last year with an overtime victory to end a seven-game losing streak in the series. Marist holds a 13-4 margin in the series.
The team will then head to Manhattan on Oct. 16 before hosting Monmouth for its final regular season home game on Oct. 23. The Jaspers have won the last 13 games to take a 19-3 lead in the matchup. Monmouth joins the MAAC after winning all 18 matches against the Peacocks in non-conference action.
Saint Peter's concludes the regular season on Oct. 26 at Canisius. The Golden Griffins have won nine-straight in the series to take a 17-4 advantage in the matchup.
After playing conference matches on Friday and Sunday in previous seasons, league games will now be played on Wednesday and Saturday.
The MAAC Tournament will take place Oct. 31-Nov. 4 at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports at Walt Disney World Resorts in Buena Vista, Fla. All 11 teams will participate in the tournament
The Peacocks finished 2012 with an overall record of 2-17 and a 1-8 mark in league play, but will begin a new era in 2013 under Bielan.
