MIAMI – Coming off one of their most successful season's in their storied history, second-year FIU men's soccer Head Coach Kevin Nylen announced the Panthers' 2018 schedule on Tuesday afternoon. In addition to FIU's usually demanding Conference USA schedule, three opponents on this this year's ledger – C-USA foe Old Dominion, along with Atlantic Coast Conference and national heavyweights Duke and Virginia – all advanced to the postseason at the end of the 2017 campaign.
 
In addition, five Sunshine State rivals – Stetson, UCF, North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast and USF – all return to this year's schedule.
 
"We are very excited about the 2018 season and schedule," said Nylen. "It will be a very challenging season within C-USA and our non-conference schedule as we play numerous NCAA Tournament teams.  Preseason will be great. We can't wait to start training with the team."
 
FIU will begin its 2018 regular season campaign with a trip to Durham, North Carolina, to take part in the Annual John Rennie Nike Invitational, hosted by Duke University. The Panthers will face the host Blue Devils on Aug. 24, before taking on the Elon two days later on Aug. 26.
 
Following its trip to the Tar Heel State, FIU will open the home portion of its schedule, with the lone home contest in its first four matches, when Stetson visits the FIU Soccer Stadium on Aug. 31. The Panthers then head back on the road for its Conference USA opener at Marshall on Sept. 7.   
 
FIU returns to Miami for two-straight before embarking on its longest road stretch of the season, three-matches. The Panthers will host UCF on Sept. 11, and UAB on Sept. 14. FIU returns to the pitch against its second ACC foe of the season when it butts heads with Virginia on Sept. 18, before outings at North Florida on Sept. 23, and at New Mexico on Sept. 29.
 
The Blue and Gold will play four of their next five matches at home, starting on Oct. 3, when Florida Gulf Coast makes its way across Alligator Alley to hit the pitch against the Panthers, and then welcome Kentucky to campus on Oct. 7. FIU travels to Charlotte to face the 49ers on Oct. 14, before closing out the five-match stretch at home against Florida Atlantic on Oct. 19, and USF on Oct. 23.
 
FIU closes out the regular season against reigning Conference USA tournament champion Old Dominion on Oct. 28, in Norfolk, Virginia, before its regular season finale against South Carolina on Nov. 2.
 
This year's Conference USA Tournament will take place Nov. 7-11 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with FIU looking to advance to its third C-USA championship match in the last four years.
 
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