RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head coach Kevin Sherry, who begins his 10th season at the helm of Louisiana Tech soccer, announced Tuesday the 2016 fall schedule.

The No. 10 is a common theme in this year's slate as LA Tech plays an even split of matches with 10 coming in non-conference and 10 in conference. There are also 10 games apiece at home and on the road.

"It is a balanced schedule with a lot of tough road games mixed with intense in-state opponents, as well as a few games which will give the whole squad a chance to show what they have to offer," Sherry said. We have returners joined by a large incoming class who must meet the challenges ahead and try to achieve the same level of success we have had in recent years."

For the first 10 days, the Lady Techsters will be on their home pitch for four of five matches starting with the season opener on Aug. 19 versus Murray State.

The stretch will also include the lone road game at Lamar, followed by three straight at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex against McNeese State, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas State.

The most difficult road swing of the non-conference portion of the fall campaign will be at Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech on Sept. 2 and 4, respectively.

The last three matches prior to Conference USA play getting underway will all come against in-state opponents, hosting I-20 foe ULM for the first time ever on Sept. 9 and travelling to take on Nicholls State on Sept. 11 and Southern on Sept. 16.

"It is great to have a home game to start the season," Sherry said. "It will enable our incoming freshmen a chance to feel their way into the season in familiar surroundings. The road weekend will be very difficult physically and mentally which will no doubt teach us a few things and give us an insight on where we stand prior to starting conference play."

The Techsters stay on the road with the start of C-USA action coming at Southern Miss on Sept. 18. The most difficult stretch ensues over the next two weekends against perennial powers Rice, North Texas and Marshall who all finished in the top four in the league this past season.

"The conference schedule is probably the toughest we have ever had during my tenure," Sherry said. "It will not be easy, but we will treat every game on its own merit, work hard and learn from the result as we move forward."

LA Tech battles FIU in Ruston on Oct. 6 before embarking on its longest road trip of the season with contests at Charlotte and Old Dominion on Oct. 14 and 16, respectively.

The team will turn around and host their final two games of the season the following weekend versus Middle Tennessee and UAB before closing out the regular season on Oct. 28 at UTSA.

Transamerica Field in Charlotte, N.C. will serve as host for the 2016 C-USA Women's Soccer Championships. This venue also played host to the league tourney in 2014.

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