WEST HARTFORD, Conn. —Hartford men's soccer team and head coach Tom Poitras has announced the schedule for the 2019 season. Highlighting the 18-game regular-season slate are seven home matches against opponents from four conferences, including the Big 10, Ivy League, MAAC and Atlantic 10.
 
Click HERE to view the full 2019 men's soccer schedule.
 
The Hawks kick off the season with five straight road games, beginning with a two matches in California against Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 30) and UC Riverside (Sept. 1). Last season, UC Riverside captured the Big West Championship and an NCAA Tournament bid by defeating Cal State Fullerton in the league's title match.
 
"We are always trying to challenge our team, and we have done it again this season," said Poitras. "The trip to the West Coast will be a major test to start the season with two quality NCAA Tournament level opponents. We have some big challenges on the road early in the season, and will learn a lot about the mentality of our team in the first month as we look to prepare for another tight America East Conference race."
 
The trek to the West Coast makes history for the Scarlet and White, as it signifies not only the first-ever meetings with Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside, but also the Hawks' first visit to the Golden State since 1990.
 
Hartford makes its East Coast debut on Sept. 6, when it heads to Providence to take on Brown. Following the Friday night tilt, the Hawks visit upstate New York to close out their longest road swing with a pair of weekend matches at Niagara (Sept. 13) and St. Bonaventure (Sept. 15)
 
After covering nearly 7,000 miles in its season-opening road trip, Hartford makes its debut on Al-Marzook Field on Sept. 21, when it hosts in-state foe Fairfield. 
 
The stop is quick, though, as the Hawks return to the road for their next three, beginning with a date at in-state rival Central Connecticut (Sept. 24). Hartford then opens America East play at UAlbany on Sept. 27, before it heads to Northeastern on Oct. 1.
 
Six of the last 10 matches of the regular season will be played in West Hartford, as the Hawks play host to UMBC (Oct. 5) and St. Joseph (Oct. 8). Following a trip to Stony Brook on Oct. 11, Hartford has two more home games on the docket against Rutgers on Oct. 15, and Vermont on Oct. 19. The game against the Catamounts, which falls on Hawktober Weekend, will honor the Hawks 1999 America East Championship team.
 
In addition to the annual Hawktober Weekend BBQ, which will be held during the game with the Catamounts, the Department of Athletics will honor the 1999 team. In addition to winning both the America East Regular Season and Tournament Championships, the 1999 team landed the Hawks to their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
The final two road games of the year land the Hawks in New Hampshire. Hartford will first conclude its non-conference slate at Dartmouth on Oct. 22, before it heads to Durham to take on defending America East Champion New Hampshire on Oct. 26.
 
Hartford closes out the regular season by welcoming Binghamton and UMass Lowell to West Hartford on Nov. 2 and Nov. 6, respectively. The tilt against the Bearcats will serve as Senior Night.
 
The top-two teams in the league standings receive first-round byes in the 2019 America East Championship, which begin on Nov. 9. Following the opening round, the semifinals will be held on Nov. 13, followed by the championship match on Nov. 17.
 
Single-game and season tickets for the 2019 men's soccer team will go on sale next month. 
 
For more information on the Hartford men's soccer team, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).