MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Head coach Denise Brolly has revealed the schedule for the Buccaneers' 2014 women’s soccer campaign today and it has a distinctly Sunshine State feel.
The 2014 slate features a total of 15 contests, including eight SSC matchups for the Bucs. Thirteen of the 15 games come against teams from Florida and all of them occur within the state. Seven of the games come in the friendly confines of Buccaneer Field, where Barry has compiled a 183-43-13 record over 30 years (.793).
Brolly, entering her second year at the helm, led the Bucs to a 12-4-3 record and the regular season championship of the Sunshine State Conference with a 7-0-1 mark. She also carried the Bucs to the NCAA South Regional for the 20th time in program history, most among NCAA Division II programs. The Bucs’ conference championship was their seventh, most in conference history.
After a couple of tune up games, the Bucs kick off the regular season on Sept. 5 in St. Augustine, Fla., against the Flagler Saints of the Peachbelt Conference. The Bucs defeated Flagler 2-1 last year in the only meeting of the teams.
The home opener comes on Sept. 7 against the Lee Flames from the Gulf South Conference. It will be the first time the teams have met.
Barry then faces another PBC foe, the North Georgia Nighthawks, in a neutral site game at Florida Tech’s Stottler Field on Sept. 14 in Melbourne, Fla. The Bucs and Nighthawks have split a pair of neutral site games, with the Bucs winning 2-0 in Newberry, S.C., in 2008 and the Nighthawks coming away with a 3-2 win in Tampa, Fla., in 2009.
The rest of the schedule features all SSC opponents, including new provisional members Palm Beach Atlantic and Embry-Riddle.
The Florida Tech Panthers visit Buccaneer Field on Sept. 17 in a non-conference game. The Panthers were the only SSC team that the Bucs did not defeat last year, losing 1-0 in Melbourne and tying twice in Miami Shores. Tech is also the only school in the conference who leads the all-time series, going 6-4-3 in the 13 games. The two teams play their conference matchup on Oct. 21 at Stottler Field.
Barry travels to Lakeland, Fla., to face the Moccasins of Florida Southern in another non-conference tilt on Sept. 20. The Bucs torched the Mocs 4-1 in Lakeland last year and hold a 10-6-1 edge in the series. The conference match closes out the regular season on Oct. 25 in Miami Shores, as the Bucs will celebrate Senior Night.
On Sept. 23, the Bucs visit the Embry-Riddle Eagles in Daytona Beach, Fla. The game will mark a homecoming for Brolly who led the Eagles in scoring as a freshman with 13 goals, nine assists and five game-winners as they won the Sun Conference championship. It will be the first meeting of the teams.
The Bucs get SSC play proper started on Sept. 27 when they visit Eckerd in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Bucs and Tritons split a pair of games last year, with Eckerd winning in St. Pete 1-0 out of conference and Bucs taking a 4-0 win in Miami Shores which clinched the conference title. Overall, Barry leads 20-2-1 in the overall series.
Arch-rival Lynn comes to town on Sept. 30. Barry took both games last year, winning 1-0 in Miami Shores and 2-1 in Boca Raton, Fla. The Knights are the Bucs oldest rivals, having played 36 times in the series. Barry leads 22-12-2.
After playing five of eight games away from home in September, the Bucs enjoy four of seven at home in October, starting with the Rollins Tars on Oct. 4. The teams split their games last year, with Barry winning 1-0 in Winter Park, Fla., but the Tars bouncing back for a 3-2 overtime win in the SSC Tournament Final in Miami Shores. Barry leads the all-time series 16-7-2.
The Bucs travel up the road on Oct. 8 to face the Nova Southeastern Sharks in Davie, Fla. Barry defeated NSU 2-0 in Miami Shores last year and hold a 16-4-2 edge all-time.
The Tampa Spartans visit Buccaneer Field on Oct. 11. The Spartans and Bucs split three games last year. Tampa won 3-2 in overtime in Miami Shores, Barry returned the favor with a 3-0 win in Tampa and the team drew 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament in Winter Park. Overall Barry has a 13-9-1 edge in the series.
Provisional SSC members, the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish drop by on Oct. 16. The Bucs posted a 4-0 win over PBA in Miami Shores last year and remain perfect 10-0-0 in the all-time series.
The Bucs travel to St. Leo, Fla., to face the Saint Leo Lions on Oct. 18. The Bucs defeated SLU 2-1 in Miami Shores last year. With three straight wins over the Lions, the Bucs lead the series 11-4-1.
They close out the regular season with the conference matches against Florida Tech and Florida Southern.
For more on the Barry women's soccer program, visit GobarryBucs.com. Also, be sure to 'Like' the Bucs on Facebook, and 'Follow' GoBarryBucs on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
See the complete schedule here.