University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Soccer Announces Spring Schedule
March 02, 2006 | Soccer
March 2, 2006
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ATHENS, Ga. - University of Georgia head soccer coach Patrick Baker has announced the Bulldogs' 2006 spring schedule. The Bulldogs could play as many as 14 games this spring, with 13 of them being played on Georgia's home field at the newly-named Turner Soccer Complex. Georgia opens up the spring with three games on Saturday, March 4, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
"We are playing a lot of different teams with various styles this spring," said Baker. "I think the spring schedule is going to help us a lot. We're not going to get caught up in wins and losses. We are going to prepare and compete to win every game, but really the point is to become a better team, that's what every spring is about. Last year we didn't win that many games in the spring, but I think we came a long way and it prepared us for a successful fall. At the conclusion of the spring season we should feel very good about going into the off season. I hope we make the same strides this spring that we made last year. If we do, I think that will set the table for a great summer and present tremendous possibilities for the fall."
After a 2005 season that proved to be a true renaissance for the University of Georgia women's soccer team, second-year head coach Patrick Baker and his Bulldog squad are preparing for the 2006 season by lining up a competitive and rigorous spring schedule. The Dogs will play almost a half-season's worth of matches over a span of approximately six weeks, from early March to late April.
Almost all of the matches will take place on Georgia's home field and will feature a wide variety of talented teams, from international squads to NCAA Division I teams and premier youth soccer organizations.
Opening day of the spring season will be Saturday, March 4, and will feature four squads in addition to the Bulldogs. Coming to Athens are Winthrop University, a combination-Tophat team and the state of Georgia's Olympic Development Program (ODP) U-17 and U-16 teams.
"We are very excited to finally play some outside competition on March 4," said Baker. "The best young talent in the state of Georgia will be here with the ODP and Tophat teams in addition to a solid collegiate squad from Winthrop. It should make for a great day of competition for everyone."
Play continues for the Bulldogs on Saturday, March 25 as perennial national championship contender North Carolina, coached by Anson Dorrance, comes to Athens. The University of Alabama - Birmingham (UAB), a member of Conference USA, will be in town to compete as well.
"That weekend is a tremendous opportunity for us," said Baker. "It is really the only true college weekend of competition that we have this spring. We play two very good teams in UAB and the traditional powerhouse of North Carolina. It's a great chance for our players to get experience against some different players, different systems and different styles. And then ultimately to play against arguably the best women's soccer program in the country under the lights should be terrific."
The very next weekend will feature two days of matchups as the Bulldogs travel to Atlanta to participate in a friendly international game against Mexico on Thursday, March 30. On Saturday, April 1, the team is tentatively scheduled to host its annual Alumni Game.
Next on the slate for the Bulldogs will be the Region III ODP U-17 team on Saturday, April 8. On Sunday, April 9, Georgia will play host to a match between 2005 NCAA Tournament contender Clemson and the Region III team.
"With the U-17 Region III ODP team coming to Athens, it is a great opportunity for our fans to see some of the best young players in the south region," said Baker. "Actually, there will be two-to-three future Georgia Bulldogs from our 2006 signing class on display that night, which will be great to see."
On Saturday, April 15, the team will return to action on the pitch for "Georgia Day", as all of the state of Georgia's Div. I soccer teams come to Athens. Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kennesaw State and Mercer will hit the field along with UGA. Team Boca, one of Florida's premier youth soccer clubs, will be in Athens to join the competition as well.
"That weekend we will be hosting all of the Div. I schools in the state of Georgia," said Baker. "And to round out the field of six teams will be Team Boca U-17 Club Team. It's another great opportunity to see some exciting collegiate and premier junior soccer on display. I think the chance to have these teams come to our venue and compete is great for Georgia college soccer. Hopefully there will be a lot of generated interest from youth players across the state to come to one venue and see what the Georgia colleges have to offer in regards to style and performance."
The spring season will wrap up on Saturday, April 22, as Georgia hosts two of the Peach State's premier soccer clubs as Tophat brings its U-18, U-17 and U-16 teams to Athens, while GSA will come to play with its U-17 and U-16 squads.
"In our last session of the spring, we've gone in the complete opposite direction from the previous weekend," said Baker. "Instead of hosting college teams we are bringing in Tophat and GSA, two of the premier soccer clubs in the state of Georgia. Tophat is bringing in three teams, one of which, the U-18 squad, has four players that will be coming to Georgia next year. Again, it will be great for those players to play on their future home field for our fans to get an early look at the direction our program is headed in. GSA is bringing in their U-16s and U-17s. All five of these teams feature a lot of the best players and coaches in the state. They have gone on and enjoyed state, regional and some national success in various tournaments and we feel privileged to be able to spend the whole day with them and their players."
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