University of Arkansas at Little Rock head soccer coach Mark Foster has announced the 2018 soccer schedule, a slate which includes some challenging non-conference foes for the Trojans as well as a strong home schedule with nine matches being played at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex. 

“I’m delighted to be able to announce such an exciting schedule,” Foster said. “Getting to host an SEC team in Kentucky as well as another Power Five foe in TCU is big for us. We have our natural rivalry games against Central Arkansas and UAPB, so we have some big non-conference games, followed by an always challenging Sun Belt schedule where we get to host the reigning champions in South Alabama and the rivalry game against Arkansas State. We’re ready to get going and are excited to see the Little Rock community come out and support this team.”

The regular season for Foster’s inaugural season begins Friday, Aug. 17, when the Trojans make the short trip up Interstate 40 to Conway to face rival Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. That leads into Little Rock’s first-ever tilt against SEC foe Kentucky as the Trojans will host the Wildcats at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19.

The Trojans make a trip to Springfield, Missouri, facing Missouri State on Friday, August 24, before closing out the month of August hosting in-state foe Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. before welcoming Austin Peay to Little Rock on Friday, Aug. 31, for a 7 p.m. kick on what will be Senior Day for the Trojans.

September begins with a trip to Itta Bena, Mississippi, facing Mississippi Valley State on Sunday, Sept. 2, leading into another key home match against Big 12 foe TCU on Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. as the Trojans and Horned Frogs will meet for the first time since 1992.

The final non-conference game of the 2018 schedule takes Little Rock to the Lone Star state, returning the home-and-home contest at Sam Houston State on Sunday, Sept. 9.

The match against the Bearkats begins a tough stretch for the Trojans, who play five of the next six in enemy territory. That swing begins with the start of Sun Belt Conference play at Coastal Carolina Friday, Sept. 14, then continue on to face Appalachian State on Sunday, Sept. 16.

Little Rock’s first home conference match will be held on Friday, Sept. 21, when the Trojans welcome Georgia State to Arkansas for a 7:30 p.m. match. The Trojans then head back on the road, traveling to Texas State on Friday, Sept. 28, before heading east to Monroe, Louisiana, to face ULM on Sunday, Sept. 30.

The month of October will provide plenty of home cooking, however, as Little Rock closes out the 2018 regular season playing four of its final five contests at Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex. That stretch begins on Sunday, Oct. 7, when the Trojans play host to defending Sun Belt champion South Alabama at 1 p.m., marking coach Foster’s first contest against his former team.

The final road match of the regular season takes the Trojans to Lafayette, Louisiana, for a showdown with the Ragin’ Cajuns on Friday, Oct. 12, leading into three-straight home matches to close out the season. The first of those will be the annual rivalry showdown with Arkansas State as the Trojans and Red Wolves will tangle at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.

Little Rock then hosts Troy on Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. before the regular season finale against Georgia Southern on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. The matches against the Alabama Trojans and the Eagles marks Little Rock’s Family Weekend for the 2018 season.

Once again, the Sun Belt Conference tournament will be held at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex in Foley, Alabama, being held Wednesday, Oct. 31, through Sunday, Nov. 4. The Trojans will look to add to their postseason resume as Little Rock has advanced to the tournament semifinals in each of the past two seasons.

A full list of promotions for the 2018 Little Rock soccer schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. Admission to all Trojan home soccer matches will once again be free of charge at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex.