EVANSVILLE, Ind. - After a competitive spring season and with many student-athletes competing in summer leagues, head coach Marshall Ray and the University of Evansville men's soccer team set their sights on the fall with the release of the 2019 schedule.

The Aces' 2019 slate features three teams that advanced to the sweet sixteen of the 2018 NCAA Tournament and two teams who reached the College Cup.

2019 begins much like 2018 did, with an exhibition match against one of the best programs in the nation. Evansville opens the season with a trip to face NCAA Tournament runner-up Akron in Akron, Ohio on August 18, a team that won the 2010 National Championship and finished last season two goals away from doing the same. The preseason continues for the Aces on August 23, but back home at Arad McCutchan Stadium against Big Ten member Northwestern.

Opening the regular season on August 30, Evansville welcomes in Eastern Illinois for the regular season opener. Following its match with EIU, Evansville will get used to the road quick as the regular season begins with three road matches. Beginning on September 2 with a trip to face Butler, the Aces then continue their road trip at SIUE on September 6 and close the trip at NCAA Sweet 16 finalist Lipscomb on September 10.

The journey brings Evansville back to McCutchan Stadium for a two-game set as UNC Asheville comes to town on September 14. To open Missouri Valley Conference play, the Aces take on Loyola on September 18, a side that reached the MVC Championship Game a year ago.

One of two road games during a stretch in which the Aces play six home matches in eight games, Evansville travels for its road-opener in MVC action, facing Valparaiso on September 22. Its back home again for the Aces with a non-conference bout with Santa Clara on September 29 before MVC foe Missouri State and the Aces meet on October 5.

On October 9, Evansville goes back on the road, this time to Des Moines, Iowa for a matchup with Drake. Following the trip to Iowa, the Aces come back to Evansville for a pair of MVC matches, first with Bradley on October 13, and second against Drake on October 19 that begins the second half of the MVC slate.

The Aces next three matches are on the road beginning with a showdown with College Cup finalist Indiana in Bloomington, Ind. on October 22 for the final non-conference match of the season. Heading down the stretch of the regular season, Evansville heads to the southernmost point of the MVC with a matchup with Missouri State on October 26 before traveling to the northernmost point of the conference on October 30 for a contest with Loyola. 

The last match of the season at McCutchan Stadium, Evansville plays host to Valparaiso on Senior Day on November 3. Much like last season, the Aces close the regular season at Bradley on November 9, the site of Evansville's 4-3 win in 2018 that secured a berth in the MVC Championship on the final day of action.

After the conclusion of the regular season, all six teams will enter the MVC Championship, held November 13, 15, and 17 in Springfield, Mo.
 

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