Men’s Soccer Set to Take On Three NCAA Division One Teams this Spring

After a successful fall campaign, the MC men's soccer team looks to continue its growth this spring with an ambitious spring schedule. The Raptors will take on three NCAA Division I program – George Washington University, George Mason University, and Mount Saint Mary's University. They will also face the University of the District of Columbia (NCAA Division II) and MDJUCO conference rival Frederick Community College.

The Raptors were crowned NJCAA Region XX champions for the first time since 2015 and the Raptor coaching staff wants to continue to build on the success of the fall. Head Coach Pedro Braz said, "We're always looking for ways to create challenges and provide opportunities for our players. Ultimately, we want our student-athletes to leave MC prepared to play NCAA soccer. These games give them an opportunity to see where they stand and measure themselves against Division I talent. We're looking to compete for a national championship tournament berth next fall and then hopefully move several of our players to NCAA programs. These games are great opportunities for our student-athletes to learn, grow, and set goals for 2022 and beyond."

The Raptors will start the spring season on February 27, as hosts of a preseason round-robin tournament, with UDC, and Frederick Community College, playing at the MC Soccer Stadium in Rockville, Maryland.

After, the Raptors will take a short road trip to Washington D.C. to face George Washington University on March 27 at 12:00 PM. The following week they will travel to Mount Saint Mary's on April 9 and finish the season away at George Mason University on April 23 at 2:00 PM.

Raptor Facts:

George Washington University Colonials –GWU competes in the Atlantic 10 conference in NCAA Division I. The Colonials finished 2021 with a record of 5-10-2.

Mount Saint Mary Mountaineers –'The Mount' competes in the Northeastern Conference in NCAA Division I. They finished 2021 with a record of 3-15.

George Mason University Patriots– GMU competes in A-10 Conference in NCAA Division I. They finished 2021 with a record of 2-13-1.

University of D.C. Firebirds– The Firebirds are an NCAA Division II program, competing in the East Coast Conference. They finished the 2022 season with a record of 8-5-4, losing the ECC Championship Final on penalty kicks.

Frederick Community College Cougars– The Cougars finished their 2022 season with a record of 8-5. Competing alongside the Raptors in the MDJUCO Conference, Frederick won its first Region XX title in the 2021-22 season.