ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University men's soccer head coach Michael Zion has announced his 2016 schedule.

"We spend such a long time preparing and waiting for the season to get underway, we are just ready to go," said Zion. "We have a strong incoming class and a solid group of returning players. The team is more experienced and has a better idea of what it takes to do something special at this level. We are ready to see how far we can push ourselves."

The 2016 men's soccer schedule features five non-conference matches and 11 South Atlantic Conference matches with eight of the contests being played at home.

Zion on the 2016 schedule: "Our overall schedule this year is a tough one and that's exactly how we wanted it. It's important that we challenge ourselves. At the end of the season we want to be in and around the top teams in the region... the only way to achieve that, is to play teams that have similar goals. Our conference is very strong, making each match a battle. We landed some key match-ups at home, but we will certainly be challenged playing some of the top teams on the road."

2016 Opponents

Lees McRae – Sept. 1 (A – 7 pm)

2015 Record: 11-7, 7-3 CC

2015 Finish: 3rd place in Conference Carolinas, CC Tournament Semifinal

2015 Result: N/A

Flagler – Sept. 3 (H – 2 pm)

2015 Record: 9-6-1, 7-2 PB

2015 Finish: 2nd place in the Peach Belt Conference, PB Tournament Semifinals

2015 Result: N/A

Shorter – Sept. 7 (A – 7 pm)

2015 Record: 8-9-2, 5-3-1 GSC

2015 Finish: 5th place in the Gulf South Conference, GSC Tournament Semifinals

2015 Result: AU 2 – SU 2 (2OT)

*Coker – Sept. 14 (A – 7:30 pm)

2015 Record: 3-10-1, 3-8 SAC

2015 Finish: 11th place in South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 3 – CC 0

*Wingate – Sept. 17 (H – 3:30 pm)

2015 Record: 14-4-4, 9-2 SAC

2015 Finish: T-1st place in South Atlantic Conference, SAC Tournament Champions, NCAA Sweet 16

2015 Result: AU 1 – WU 2

*Brevard – Sept. 21 (H – 4:30 pm)

2015 Record: 5-10-2, 4-5-2 SAC

2015 Finish: 8th place in South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 1 – BC 2

*Tusculum – Sept. 24 (H – 3:30 pm)

2015 Record: 9-6-2, 6-4-2 SAC

2015 Finish: 6th place in South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 1 – TC 0

Erskine – Sept. 27 (H – 4:30 pm)

2015 Record: 4-11-3, 2-5-3 CC

2015 Finish: 7th place in Conference Carolinas

2015 Result: AU 1 – EC 2

*Carson-Newman – Oct. 1 (A – 7:30 pm)

2015 Record: 15-3-2, 9-2 SAC

2015 Finish: T-1st place in South Atlantic Conference, SAC Tournament Finals, NCAA Tournament 1st Rd

2015 Result: AU 3 – C-N 2

*Newberry – Oct. 5 (A – 4 pm)

2015 Record: 3-14, 0-11 SAC

2015 Finish: 12th place in the South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 3 – NBY 2

*Lenoir-Rhyne – Oct. 8 (H – 3:30 pm)

2015 Record: 8-8-2, 5-5-1 SAC

2015 Finish: 7rd place in the South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 3 – L-R 2 (2OT)

*Catawba – Oct. 15 (A – 7:30 pm)

2015 Record: 5-11, 3-8 SAC

2015 Finish: 10th place in the South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 4 – CAT 2

*Queens – Oct. 19 (H – 3:30 pm)

2015 Record: 10-8-1, 7-4 SAC

2015 Finish: 4th place in the South Atlantic Conference, SAC Tournament Semifinals

2015 Result: AU 2 – QU 3 (OT) (Regular Season)

AU 1 – QU 2 (SAC Quarterfinals)

*Lincoln Memorial – Oct. 22 (A – 3:30 pm)

2015 Record: 10-3-3, 7-3-2 SAC

2015 Finish: 3th place in the South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 1 – LMU 2

Southern Wesleyan – Oct. 26 (A – 7 pm)

2015 Record: 15-7-2, 4-4-2 CC

2015 Finish: 5th place in Conference Carolinas

2015 Result: N/A

*Mars Hill – Oct. 29 (H – 3:30 pm)

2015 Record: 4-10-1, 3-7-1 SAC

2015 Finish: 9th place in the South Atlantic Conference

2015 Result: AU 1 – MH 0

SAC Quarterfinals – Nov. 1 (TBD)

SAC Semifinals & Finals – Nov. 4-6 (Rock Hill, S.C.)