By By Patrick McHugh, News Staff

After nearly qualifying for the NCAA tournament last year, the men’s soccer team released its 2009 schedule June 3.

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The team will play six non-conference games to start the season and 11 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) games to close. The season begins at Albany Sept. 1 and continues with another two road contests, at Dartmouth Sept. 6 and at Providence Sept. 12.

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The Huskies return to Parsons Field for their home opener Sept. 15 against Holy Cross. University of Massachusetts-Amherst pays a visit Sept. 19, followed by Fairfield Sept. 22.

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The Huskies’ CAA schedule commences Sept. 26 with a tilt at James Madison. NU will play six conference road games and five at home.

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The CAA post-season tournament begins Nov. 13, with the championship following on Nov. 15.

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Northeastern is coming off a 7-5-9 season, 5-2-4 in conference. The team defeated Old Dominion and UNC-Wilmington with penalty kicks in the CAA tournament before losing the championship to George Mason, 1-0, Nov. 16.