SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Conference Carolinas Regular Season Champion Converse Valkyries soccer team faces the toughest schedule in program history that features three 2014 NCAA Tournament teams, and four programs ranked in the top ten in the Southeast Region.

"I am excited for the upcoming season," said Valkyries first year head coach Rick Parlow. "The team is looking forward to defending their regular season championship. We have a strong out of conference schedule, in hopes of preparing us for what I am sure will be another year of fierce competition within the Conference Carolinas."

Converse begins their season with two exhibition matches; the first will be against regionally ranked Newberry on the road August 22 followed by a home match against the defending South Atlantic Conference Regular Season champ and regionally ranked Lenoir-Rhyne on August 26.

The Valkyries kick the regular-season off facing three opponents at home starting with Concord University on September 3.  Then, Converse faces NCAA Tournament selection and regionally ranked North Georgia (September 6) before wrapping up the homestand against Mars Hill on September 9.

Converse will head up the road to Gaffney to kick-off Conference Carolinas play against rival Limestone on September 12 at 7:30 pm.

Next, the Valkyries will face Mount Olive at home (September 16), a team that Converse defeated twice last season including its first ever postseason victory.  Converse will then travel to Barton on September 19 before returning home to avenge their only conference loss a year ago against Pfeiffer (September 22).

Converse will take a step out of conference play to face Chowan in Murfreesboro, N.C., and nearby Columbia College.

The Valkyries pack their bags for a four game road trip.  First, Converse will face Conference Carolinas Tournament Champ and NCAA Tournament selection, Belmont Abbey, October 3.  Then, the Purple and Gold will travel to Tigerville, S.C., to face North Greenville (October 10).  Converse captured the regular season title against the Crusaders last season.

Next, Converse will head to the mountains to square off with Lincoln Memorial on October 12. This marks the first meeting between the two programs since 2000.  Lastly, The Valkyries will end the road swing against Southern Wesleyan on October 14.

The Valkyries will host three of the final five matches to conclude the regular season.  Converse welcomes Emmanuel (October 17), Lees-McRae (October 24) and the regular season finale against King on October 31 at 5pm.  Converse will travel to Erskine, October 21, and make their final road trip to Brevard on October 27.

The Conference Carolinas Tournament starts November 3 with the quarterfinals and wraps up with the Final Four November 6 and Finals November 8.

*- All times and dates are subject to change.