RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Non-conference matchups against foes from the Big East, Pac-12 and Atlantic 10 highlight the 2012 Manhattan College men's soccer schedule, which was announced today.  The 18-game slate features six home contests at Gaelic Park, starting with the season opener against Villanova on Aug. 24.

This marks the second straight season in which Manhattan is opening against Villanova.  The Wildcats began the 2011 campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Jaspers in Philadelphia.  Villanova reached the semifinals of the Big East Tournament last season.

After the season opener, the Jaspers don't return to Gaelic Park until Oct. 12.  Manhattan plays its next nine contests on the road, starting with the Gonzaga Nike Classic on Aug. 31-Sept. 2.  In addition to a matchup with Gonzaga (Aug. 31), the Jaspers take on Pac-12 member Oregon State (Sept. 2) during their trip to the West Coast.  Upon returning to New York, the Jaspers visit local rival Columbia on Sept. 5.

Manhattan makes a brief return home for its annual Alumni Game on Sept. 8 before resuming the regular season at Temple three days later.  The Jaspers visit St. Francis (NY) on Sept. 21 and Bryant on Sept. 23, then head across town for the annual "Battle of the Bronx" against rival Fordham on Sept. 28.  The following weekend, Manhattan opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play with games at Marist (Oct. 5) and Siena (Oct. 7).

On Oct. 12, the Jaspers play their first official home game in seven weeks when Iona comes to Gaelic Park.  Manhattan posted a memorable 1-0 double-overtime victory over the Gaels in the semifinals of last season's MAAC Tournament in Orlando, Fla.  The Jaspers then host Fairfield, the team they lost to in the 2011 MAAC Championship Game, on Oct. 14.

The Jaspers head back on the road for three of their next four, starting with a visit to Saint Peter's on Oct. 20.  After concluding non-conference play with a home game against Army on Oct. 23, Manhattan makes its final road trip of the season for matchups with MAAC rivals Rider (Oct. 26) and Loyola (Oct. 28).  The Jaspers then wrap up the regular season with a pair of games at Gaelic Park.  Manhattan hosts Niagara on Nov. 2 and ends the season against Canisius on Nov. 4.  Last season, the Jaspers defeated both the Purple Eagles and Golden Griffins in Buffalo for the first time since 2001.