MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team has announced its 2024 schedule: including seven home matches, a newcomer to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference, four regional opponents, and more.

"Without a doubt, this is a challenging schedule," says Jon Sandoval, reigning GLIAC Coach of the Year. Entering his fifth year at the helm for the Wildcats after a 2024 campaign that saw the program's first GLIAC regular season and post-season titles, the 'Cats have their sights set on defending their title and returning to glory. "Most people know how difficult our conference is, but before we even get into conference matches, we play three teams that made the national tournament last year on the road."

"This is a group that is capable of handling hard well, but each year provide unique challenges. After a humbling Spring season, my hope is we come back in the Fall hungrier than ever."

The Wildcats have two scrimmages on the schedule before the regular season kicks off: those being at home against Lewis on August 24 at 1 p.m., and then on the road against St. Norbert at 1 p.m. CST/ 2 p.m. EST. 

The regular season kicks off with four straight regional opponents all on the road, starting with a trip to Minnesota to take on Duluth and St. Cloud on September 5 and 7 before matches against Cedarville and Northwood the following weekend on September 12 and 14. St. Cloud, Cedarville, and Northwood all made it to the national tournament in the 2023 season.

GLIAC play opens up with two matches at home, starting with Grand Valley State on September 20 and Davenport University on September 22. The Wildcats then face a new GLIAC foe, the Roosevelt University Lakers, on September 27, and complete the opening GLIAC road trip at Purdue Northwest on September 29.

The 'Cats are home the first weekend of October, squaring off against Ferris State and Saginaw Valley State on October 4 and 6. 

The Green and Gold start a three-game road trip at Michigan Tech on October 13 before heading downstate for two matches against Ferris State and Davenport University on October 18 and 20. After three on the road, the 'Cats have three at home: hosting Roosevelt and Purdue Northwest on October 25 and 27, followed by Parkside on the first of November. Senior day is set for the October 27 match against Purdue Northwest.

The regular season comes to a close on the road, with matches 17 and 18 coming against Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State on November 7 and 9, 2024. 

The full schedule can be found here.