Men's Soccer Schedule Announced

This week, head coach Leo Chappel announced the Columbia men's soccer schedule for the 2007 season, and it oozes ambition.

The Lions will test their mettle against two teams who played in last year's Final Four-the University of Virginia and University of California, Santa Barbara-to prepare for their Ivy League campaign.

This comes as a major step up after the disappointing 2006 season-Columbia went 7-6-2, 0-5-2 Ivy-which was prefaced by games against local, low-caliber opponents like Iona and Manhattan.

UVA, on the other hand, made a run to the semi-finals of last year's NCAA tournament before falling 4-0 to UCLA, while the UCSB Gauchos went on to win the Cup. Chappel had been an assistant coach with the Gauchos when they won the national title in 2004.

Columbia will also be buoyed by its Ivy League schedule. Since 2007 is an odd year, the Lions will benefit from playing four games at home instead of just three. A real home-field advantage, though, might be contingent on renovations for the rapidly declining Baker Field.

The 2007 campaign will begin with the trip to Virginia on Aug. 31 before the home opener against Lasalle on Sept. 8. The visit to Santa Barbara is slated for Sept. 21, with five other games rounding out the pre-season schedule.

On Oct. 6, the Penn game at Baker Field will kick off the Lions' Ivy run, which will last until Nov. 17 for the visit of perennial NCAA tournament qualifier Brown. The penultimate home game two weeks before will be against defending league champion Harvard.