CHICAGO, Ill. – The Illinois Institute of Technology men's soccer team has released its schedule for the 2017 season. This year's slate features 12 regular-season home matches, the return of the Illinois Tech Invite, the Chicago Cup Series with Moody Bible Institute, and pits the Scarlet Hawks against the likes of tough regional opponents such as Elmhurst College and Carroll University of Wisconsin.
After an exhibition game against College of Lake County (August 27), the Hawks open the season against Manchester University (September 1) in the first game of the Illinois Tech Invite, where four teams will be participating. The field includes the talented Wisconsin-Whitewater, who finished last season with a record of 14-5-3. The three-day tournament will end with a Sunday matinee as Tech plays Simpson College at 3:30 p.m. (September 3).
"We are excited to open the season hosting the Illinois Tech Invite," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Marc Colwell. "We have brought in three high-level teams. It will be fun for our guys to match up against them."
The Scarlet Hawks' next game will be on September 5 against MacMurray College (6:00 p.m.). Tech will then have five days to prepare for Carroll University of Wisconsin, the last of a four-game homestand to open the season at Stuart Field. The Scarlet Hawks lost 2-1 to the Pioneers the previous season.
Tech will then travel four hours to Defiance, Ohio, for the first away game of the season versus Defiance College (September 13), a team they beat 2-1 last season. The road trip will be short-lived, as the Hawks then have three more consecutive home games. The first of the three contests will be on September 16 (7:00 p.m.), Tech's Homecoming game, against Beloit College. After Homecoming, the Hawks will then have a midweek battle versus St. Mary's University of Minnesota (September 20). The Hawks will end the three-game home stand on Saturday September 23 against Wentworth Military, a team they beat last season 5-2.
After a short two-day break, Tech will travel to Watertown, Wisconsin, to face Maranatha Baptist for the second away game of the season. Next, the Hawks will continue the road schedule on October 1, as they come toe-to-toe with Ripon College in Wisconsin.
Tech will then have two consecutive home games, the first versus Concordia University Chicago (October 4, 7:00 p.m.), followed by Maranatha Baptist University on October 7 (5:00 p.m.). Then, four straight road games follow, beginning on October 9 at Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Scarlet Hawks will play one more game in Michigan against Andrews University (October 13) before heading to Illinois to face the skillful Elmhurst College Bluejays (October 15). The Hawks will end the road trip against Chicago foe Moody Bible (October 18), the first game of the annual Chicago Cup Series.
Illinois Tech's final three contests will be at home. On, October 21, the Scarlet Hawks play Finlandia University (5:30 p.m.) before hosting Monmouth College on October 24 (6:00 p.m.). The end of the regular season will be on October 28 (6:00 p.m.) versus Moody Bible, which will also decide the winner of the Chicago Cup.
This year's United States Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament is set to run from November 9 through November 13. The Top 10 USCAA men's soccer programs will qualify.
"We have a strong returning class of 20 players that will be the backbone of our roster for 2017," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Marc Colwell. "They are excited that we have 12 home games next year in front of our great Scarlet Hawk fans."
Live audio, video, and statistics are set to be made available for all home matches in 2017. Live audio for all contests will be powered by Illinois Media School.
A full view of the 2017 schedule can be seen here.