NEWARK, DE – The University of Delaware men’s soccer team has released its 2008 schedule, a 19-game slate that features match-ups with two squads that made the NCAA Tournament last season.

The Blue Hens struggled through a 3-13-2 campaign in 2007 and scored just nine goals all year, but they lose just four seniors from last season’s team and will look to reach new heights this fall. Third-year head coach Ian Hennessy welcomes back junior captains Paul Danaher (at right) and David Hutchinson as well as senior goalkeeper Taylor Thames and a wealth of young talent.

Delaware begins its 2008 season with a trip to Piscataway, NJ, where the Hens will take on Big East contender Rutgers on Aug. 29. The Scarlet Knights defeated UD 3-0 when the teams met last year.

The Hens return to the comfy confines of the UD Mini-Stadium on Sept. 1 for their home opener against Marist. They then face three middle-of-the-pack Atlantic 10 teams – Fordham on Sept. 5, Saint Joseph’s on Sept. 9, and La Salle four days later – before hosting Northeast Conference powerhouse Monmouth (12-5-2 in ’07) on Sept. 17. Delaware dropped a 2-1 decision to the Hawks in last year’s meeting.

After a road test at Rider on Sept. 21, UD opens its Colonial Athletic Association schedule on Sept. 26 against defending league champion Old Dominion. The Monarchs went 14-7-3 a year ago en route to a No. 19 national ranking, advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament despite a 2-0 regular-season loss to Delaware.

Things don’t get any easier on Sept. 30, when the Hens visit Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion and NCAA Tournament participant St. Peter’s (15-6-1), which dealt UD a 2-0 defeat in ’07.

The Hens’ CAA journey continues on Oct. 4 at James Madison, which Delaware downed by a 1-0 tally in 2007. UD closes out its four-game road swing with an Oct. 8 trip to Drexel, the top seed in last year’s CAA tourney, and an Oct. 11 match-up with Hofstra.

Delaware hosts George Mason on Oct. 15 before visiting William & Mary three days later. On Oct. 22, the Hens welcome a talented Towson side to the Mini-Stadium. The Tigers posted a 12-7-2 record last year and fell to Old Dominion on penalty kicks in the CAA championship game.

UD entertains UNC Wilmington on Oct. 25 and makes the long trek to Northeastern four days later. After they battle CAA semifinalist Virginia Commonwealth (12-6-2 last year) on Nov. 1, the Hens close out their regular season Nov. 7 at Georgia State.

Delaware’s 2008 opponents posted a combined winning percentage of just .480 last season, as 12 of them finished with losing records.

2008 University of Delaware Men’s Soccer Schedule: Aug. 29 at Rutgers, 7 p.m.; Sept. 1 vs. Marist, 7 p.m.; Sept. 5 at Fordham, 7 p.m.; Sept. 9 vs. Saint Joseph’s, 7 p.m.; Sept. 13 at La Salle, 7 p.m.; Sept. 17 vs. Monmouth, 7 p.m.; Sept. 21 at Rider, 1 p.m.; Sept. 26 vs. Old Dominion, 7 p.m.; Sept. 30 at Saint Peter’s, 7 p.m.; Oct. 4 at James Madison, 7 p.m.; Oct. 8 at Drexel, 7 p.m.; Oct. 11 at Hofstra, 7 p.m.; Oct. 15 vs. George Mason, 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 at William & Mary, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22 vs. Towson, 7 p.m.; Oct. 25 vs. UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m.; Oct. 29 at Northeastern, 2 p.m.; Nov. 1 vs. Virginia Commonwealth, 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at Georgia State, 3 p.m.