DENVER – The Western Athletic Conference has announced that the 2020-21 men's soccer league schedule will kickoff on February 6, starting a slate of 10 conference matches for each program. Upon completion of the regular season, the top six teams on the league table will advance to the WAC Tournament, scheduled for April 13-17 in Las Vegas.
"We are looking forward to playing and competing this spring," says head coach Simon Tobin. "The new WAC schedule format allows for adequate rest, training and testing during this challenging period."
San José State will make its long-awaited return to conference play on Saturday, Feb. 6 when the team kicks off its 10-game conference schedule against Incarnate Word at Spartan Soccer Complex. The Spartans boast a 4-2 all-time record against the Cardinals and have won the last three fixtures, most recently earning a 2-1 victory a year ago in San Antonio.
Tobin's team will then hit the road for a two-match swing, stopping at Air Force on Matchday 2 (Feb. 13) and new WAC member Dixie State on Matchday 3 (Feb. 20). The meeting with the Trailblazers will be the first between the two programs.
SJSU will return home on Feb. 27 to host Grand Canyon and then won't return to the pitch until March 13 when it travels to the Lone Star State to face Houston Baptist. The program holds a 4-2-2 record all-time against the Lopes while boasting a 5-4-1 mark against the Huskies.
After a March 20 date with UTRGV in San José, the Spartans will kickoff their final road trip of the season with their first Friday game of the conference season on March 26 at California Baptist. They will then play their final away match on the final day of March, making the trip to Orem to meet Utah Valley.
The final homestand of the 2020-21 season will kickoff on April 5 against UNLV. San José State earned a 2-1 victory in its last home match with the Rebels, using goals from midfielder Eduardo Buenfil and forward Suliman Khorami to down the visitors back in 2018.
SJSU will complete its regular season with Senior Day on April 9 against Seattle U. The Spartans have 13 seniors on their 2020-21 roster, the second-most among all teams nationally.
Allen &
— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) August 17, 2020
Bermudez &
Brenes &
Buenfil &
Castro &
Gomez-Zavala &
Hernandez &
Lemus &
Lopez &
Miranda &
Reyes-Zavalza &
Sanchez &
Saydee.
When we return to the pitch, we'll do so with one of the nation's most experienced rosters. pic.twitter.com/lXweomJhFD
Further information regarding the non-conference schedule will be released as contests become finalized. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions set by Santa Clara County, fans will not be allowed at Spartan Soccer Complex for home contests.
The full schedule is listed below, with home contests marked in bold:
2020-21 San José State Men's Soccer Western Athletic Conference Schedule
Feb. 6 - Incarnate Word
Feb. 13 - @ Air Force
Feb. 20 - @ Dixie State
Feb. 27 - Grand Canyon
March 13 - @ Houston Baptist
March 20 - UTRGV
March 26 - @ California Baptist
March 31 - @ Utah Valley
April 5 - UNLV
April 9 - Seattle U.
April 13-17 - WAC Tournament (Las Vegas)