MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University women's soccer head coach Jack Marchant has released the upcoming 2024 schedule for the Bobcats.

"We've put together a competitive non-conference schedule," said Marchant. "I'm very happy with how it has all worked out and it should prepare us for the Peach Belt.

"As for the Peach Belt, I think this is going to be the toughest season yet," added Marchant. "We have some new coaches in the league which I'm looking forward to competing against, as well as the staples, who battle it out every year, and we are looking to work our way into that mix. It all makes for an exciting 2024."

The Bobcats, who return a lot of experienced players (28) from last year's 8-8-2 squad that finished in sixth place in the Peach Belt Conference, open the 2024 campaign in Salisbury, North Carolina, for two matches. GCSU will face Chowan University at 5 p.m. Sept. 6. The Hawks are one of two first-time opponents on the Bobcats ledger this season. They will round out the weekend Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. when they face Catawba College. GCSU is 2-2-0 all-time against the Catawba Indians, including a 2-1 decision against Catawba last year when they were ranked No. 1 in the nation.

GCSU returns to the Bobcat Soccer Field Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. when they host Middle Georgia State University in its home opener. The Knights are the other first-time opponent on the schedule this year. The Bobcats will travel to Valdosta State University for a match Sept. 14 before returning home to entertain Florida Southern College Sept. 18. 

The Bobcats open the 2024 Peach Belt slate against Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, Sept. 21. The Cougars, who won the PBC Tournament title and are one of three opponents that made the 2023 NCAA Division II Tournament, is the longest-running opponent for GCSU as this will be the 29th meeting in the all-time series.

GCSU returns to Milledgeville for a two-match home swing against Auburn University at Montgomery (Sept. 23) and PBC-foe Flagler College (Sept. 28). The Bobcats have won all three meetings with the Warhawks and the matchup against the Saints, who made the national tournament last season, will serve as the Parents Day contest.

The Bobcats will be on the road for three of their next four matches. They will face Clayton State University (Oct. 2), Lincoln Memorial University (Oct. 9) and the University of South Carolina-Beaufort (Oct. 12) and will host Christian Brothers University Oct. 5. GCSU holds an 11-8-3 lead in the all-time series with the Lakers  and the series against the Railsplitters is tied at 1-1-1. The LMU match will be a neutral-site contest in Greer, South Carolina. The Bobcats have won both meetings against the Sand Sharks and they will be looking for their first-ever win against the Buccaneers. 

GCSU returns to the Bobcat Soccer Field for two league matches against the University of North Georgia (Oct. 16) and Lander University (Oct. 19) before hitting the road for its next three matches against Albany State University (Oct. 23), University of South Carolina-Aiken (Oct. 26) and Emmanuel (Ga.) University (Oct. 30). UNG are the defending PBC champions and NCAA tournament participant, while GCSU holds an 8-7-7 all-time lead against the Bearcats. The Lander contest will also be Alumni Day for the Bobcats. GCSU has never lost to the Golden Rams in six meetings and is 12-6-2 against the Pacers. The Bobcats are 1-0-0 all-time against the Lions, winning 3-1 a year ago.

The Bobcats wrap up their regular season at home No. .2 against Georgia Southwestern State University in a 1 p.m. contest. GCSU is 17-0-1 all-time against the Hurricanes.

The top eight teams will qualify for the Peach Belt Tournament in 2024. The quarterfinals will be played on campus sites Nov. 12 with the semifinals and finals to be held Nov. 15 and 17 at the highest-remaining seed. The winner will earn the league's automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for three consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won four consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.