Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte 49ers women's soccer team will play a strong competitive schedule in 2012. The non-conference schedule features two Atlantic Coast Conference opponents including a home game against 2011 College Cup participant Wake Forest. The 49ers also play in-state rivals Davidson, East Carolina, UNC Wilmington and Western Carolina.  Then, the 49ers play a tough nine-game Atlantic 10 schedule which includes a stretch of five-straight road games. The 49ers have a balanced schedule overall playing ten home matches and nine road contests. 

The 49ers begin the season with an exhibition match against UNC Asheville at Transamerica a Field, August 11.

Charlotte kicks off the 2012 regular season on the road against the College of Charleston on August 18th .  

Then, the 49ers return to Transamerica Field for their home opening weekend when they play Western Carolina, August 24 and 2011 College Cup Participant Wake Forest, August 26.

"We couldn't have started off with a better home opening weekend," stated Charlotte coach John Cullen. 

The 49ers return to the road when they travel to in-state foes UNC Wilmington, August 31 and future Conference USA rival East Carolina, September 2.

Then, Charlotte returns home to the friendly confines of Transamerica Field for three straight games. First, the 49ers play North Florida, September 7. Then, the 49ers host ACC foe Clemson, September 9. The 49ers conclude their three-game home stand against cross-county rival Davidson, September 13. Charlotte travels up to Harrisonburg, Virginia for their final non-conference road match against James Madison, September 16, before coming home to finish off their non-conference schedule against Francis Marion on September 25th.

"We are excited about our non-conference schedule and it should get us ready for the A-10 play," Cullen said.

The 49ers begin A-10 play on September 28th  at home against one of the new members of the Atlantic 10, VCU. 

"I'm sure that VCU will be excited to be a part of the Atlantic 10, so we have to be ready for an unfamiliar and talented opponent," Cullen said. 

Charlotte wraps up the home opening conference weekend against Richmond on September 30.

Then, Charlotte hits the road for five straight A-10 matches to start the month of October.  Charlotte starts the road campaign at the nation's capital with a match against George Washington on October 6th .  Charlotte continues their trip throughout the Northeast against the Rams of Fordham on October 12th  and followed by an October 14th  match at 2011 NCAA Tournament participant La Salle. The 49ers conclude their five-game A-10 road swing at Massachusetts, October 19 and Rhode Island, October 21.

"We get into the middle stretch of conference play with five straight road games that will really be the defining portion of our conference schedule," Cullen said. "Our challenge as a team is to go and play five great schools on the road which is never an easy task."

The 49ers return home for their final two Atlantic 10 home games against Saint Louis, October 26 and Butler, October 28.

"All in all a very tough schedule against challenging opposition," Cullen said. "As a soccer program it is exactly what we wanted in terms of our final year in the Atlantic 10. It's an old cliché but every game has so much on the line and we are excited at the quality of games awaiting us as we play our last year in the Atlantic 10 Conference."

The regular-season culminates with the eight-team Atlantic 10 Tournament which will be played at the University of Rhode Island.