July 2, 2009
SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay men’s soccer team released its schedule for the upcoming 2009 season. The Otters will play a total of 22 contests, two exhibition and 20 regular season, in a slate that features a match-up against the 2008 NCAA Division II Champion, Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The men’s squad begins its season with an ambitious and tough slate of games. The season begins with two back-to-back exhibitions against Division I opponents. First up are the Hornets of Sacramento State with a 5 pm kickoff on Aug. 27 in Sacramento.
“We are excited to open up our season against Division I opponents,” said head coach #Artie Cairel. “We have shared wins and losses to the Hornets and feel that this will be a good barometer of this season’s squad.”
The following day, the Otters take on San Jose State in the prestigious Spartan Stadium.
“Spartan Stadium has hosted some of the greatest names in soccer from around the world and it is such a tremendous privilege to share the same locker room,” Cairel said. “It is very similar to those who play on our old baseball field that featured many famous players including Jackie Robinson.”
The Otters head to Chico to compete in the Chico State Wildcat Invitational and will take on Academy of Art University in their opening match on Aug. 29 followed by a pairing against St. Martin’s University on Aug. 31.
A week later, CSUMB kicks off its home season by hosting Seattle Pacific on Sept. 8 at the Otter Soccer Complex.
The Otters will then begin CCAA play on the road against Cal East Bay where Cairel served as team captain while playing for the then Cal State Hayward Pioneers.
“It is always a special place to play for me and the teams have responded very well in their games on the hill,” Cairel said.
CSUMB will return home the following weekend, Sept 18 and 20, hosting Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills, respectively.
The Otters will then finish out the remaining 12 games on the CCAA schedule, pausing once in the midst of the conference season to compete in a non-conference home match against BYU-Hawaii on Oct. 6. CSUMB will finish out the regular season with a finale against Chico State at home on Nov. 1.
Last season, the Otters went 4-12-4 overall, and its 3-8-3 in CCAA play, with eight games going into overtime.
On Saturday, Aug. 22, the men’s and women’s soccer teams will also host its annual alumni game. Make sure to mark your calendars and join in the celebration of the CSUMB soccer teams of the past and present.
The complete 2009 Cal State Monterey Bay men's soccer schedule is available
here.