Texas State soccer team released its 2012 schedule Friday. Coming off a 2011 Southland Conference Championship, the Bobcats embark on their first league change since the program’s inception in 1999. Texas State will play eight WAC games, beginning Sept. 28.

 

With the program changing leagues, Texas State is still looking to retain old rivalries, as evidenced by the Bobcats playing three Southland Conference schools in the nonconference portion of their schedule, including the season opener on Aug. 19, against Sam Houston State in Huntsville.

 

The game against the Bearkats begins the tough opening stretch for Texas State which sees the team play five of its first six away from the Bobcat Soccer Complex. Opponents in that stretch include UTEP, Army and Rice among others. The one home game in that span is the home opener on Aug. 28 against Prairie View A&M.

 

The schedule balances out for the Bobcats after the first six games, with the team playing six of its next seven at home. On Sept. 14, is a rematch of the Southland Conference Tournament Championship from last year, in which Texas State defeated Stephen F. Austin 1-0. Two days later the Bobcats play their third and final game against SLC opponents when McNeese State visits.

 

The first conference game as a member of the Western Athletic Conference takes place on Friday, Sept. 30, when Texas State welcomes in Idaho. Oct. 5, marks the first WAC road trip with the Bobcats traveling to San Jose State and Utah State. The Oct. 7 game against Utah State is the first of two trips to Logan, Utah for the team during the season, with the WAC Tournament taking place from Nov. 1-4.

 

Senior Day will be on Friday, Oct. 19, against New Mexico State. The game against the Aggies is the final of nine home games for Texas State on the year. Just two days after the final home game, the Bobcats will travel to perennial power Denver on Oct. 21. Entering the year, Denver and Texas State are one of just two WAC teams to win at least 12 games each of the last four years.

 

A week later, the Bobcats will renew their I-35 rivalry with UTSA in San Antonio in the WAC regular season finale on Oct. 28, at 1:00 p.m.