BUENA VISTA, Va. - With another fall season on deck, the Southern Virginia University men's soccer schedule is set, with Payden Pemberton in his sixth season as Head Coach.
The USA South also released its preseason coaches poll, where the Knights are projected to finish sixth in a league that seems wide open each year.
After a pair of exhibitions with Washington and Lee and Division l Longwood, the Knights will participate in 16 regular season contests before the postseason ramps up in early November.
The home opener at Knight Stadium is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1st at 4:00 PM. Randolph College will serve as the opening day opponent, a team Southern Virginia has split their last two matches with, 1-0 on each occasion.
They'll get seven games of non-conference action, including a bout with Hampden-Sydney on September 16th in Buena Vista, a team that received votes on the national preseason poll. Southern Virginia officially opens its USA South slate by hosting Methodist on Saturday, September 26th.
The Knights will host eight games on its home turf, a place they've thrived under Pemberton's watch. They've compiled a record of 15-7-2 at home over the last three seasons. Senior Day will occur on Saturday, October 24th when Brevard comes to town. Kickoff is at 4:00 PM.
A quality group of upperclassmen leads the squad this year. Jackson Gorringe has started in all but two games in the middle of the field for the Knights during his three seasons, while Jacob Cornejo, a two-time all conference performer, should be a steady presence there as well.
Up front, Landon Stock will look to regain the freshman form that saw him record eight goals in just 17 appearances. Brock Hester has scored timely goals during his career and will be relied upon for offense as well. Porter Whitlock is another senior who has been a consistent figure in the starting XI. He'll help anchor the defense.
For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightmsoccer on Instagram.
