MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois women's soccer head coach Tony Guinn, who is entering his sixth year at the helm, announced the Leathernecks' 2012 schedule, which includes five home contests.
"Overall, we are looking forward to seeing some new places and taking the team to different locations," said Coach Guinn. "We have an outstanding group of seniors and supporting cast."
The season begins at MacKenzie Alumni Field on August 19 against Northern Iowa at 1 p.m. Coach Guinn has never lost to the Panthers (5-0-1) during his time at Western.
The Purple & Gold will then go on an eight-game road trip beginning with Arkansas-Pine Bluff on August 24 at 4 p.m. The Golden Lions made the NCAA Tournament last season and finished with a 16-5-1 record.
Western will then head north to Little Rock for a clash with Arkansas-Little Rock on August 26 at noon. The southern swing continues with a August 31 game at Jackson State at 4 p.m.
September begins with a trip back to Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 2 for a 1 p.m. game. The Leathernecks won 3-0 last season in Itta Benna, Miss.
Western will return to the Midwest for a match with Grandview on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. The Leathernecks defeated the Vikings, 7-2, in Macomb last season. Western's road trip continues at St. Ambrose on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.
On Sept. 14 Western faces Missouri State at 7 p.m. before finishing its trip at North Dakota on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m.
Summit League play starts as the Leathernecks return home on Sept. 28 for a 3 p.m. match with UMKC, followed by another home match versus South Dakota on Sept. 30 at noon.
The three-game home stand concludes on Oct. 3 as Drake visits Macomb for a 3:30 p.m. match.
Western returns to league play on Oct. 6 with a trip to IUPUI for a 7 p.m. contest. The road trip wraps up with trips to the Dakotas, first up is North Dakota State on Oct. 12 at 3:30 p.m., then a trip to last year's Summit League regular season champion, South Dakota State, on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.
The final home contest of 2012-13 will be on Oct. 19 when the Mavericks of Nebraska Omaha come to town for the first time as a full-fledged member of The Summit League.
The regular season concludes with trips to IPFW (Oct. 26) and Oakland (1 p.m.). Lat season the Golden Grizzlies won The Summit League Tournament as the fourth-seed and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
