Lauren Spencer
Special to In Motion
One thing the incoming DSC men’s and women’s soccer teams can look forward to this fall is the new soccer stadium.
Women’s soccer began autumn play with a scrimmage at the University of North Florida Aug. 9, followed by a first home match of the season Aug. 12 versus Middle Georgia State College. The Falcons will wrap pre-season scrimmage play against in-town rivals Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Aug. 20. Conference competition will begin for the Falcons on Sept. 11, with a home match versus Eastern Florida State College. In all, the Falcons will host nine home games, including four conference match-ups. The women will wrap the regular season Oct. 26 at Broward College.
Looking to defend its 2016 NJCAA Division I Southeastern District Championship, the men’s soccer team began their season on Aug. 13 with a friendly scrimmage at the University of North Florida. The Falcons’ first home game will be an exhibition match against Flagler College on Aug. 19. Conference play for the men’s team begins Sept. 15 at Broward College. DSC will host nine men’s matches in all during the regular season, including a double-header on Oct. 6.
Both Falcon soccer squads will play at home on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the grand opening of DSC’s new state-of-the-art soccer stadium. A special ceremony will take place before the men’s match against Thomas University at 4 p.m. The women’s team will play at 6 p.m. versus Broward College. Both teams will play again on Oct. 21 as part of DSC’s homecoming festivities.
Fall play for the Falcons will also include women’s golf, slated to start its season in September, and men’s and women’s basketball beginning in November. It’s going to be an exciting season, says the athletics department, with many celebrations including the new soccer stadium grand opening, DSC’s 60th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the Falcons’ 1992 men’s basketball state championship.
The ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new soccer field has been moved to October 10th at 5:30 pm. The games scheduled for October 4th will still occur at the originally specified date.