JOHNSON, VT. – The Johnson State College Athletic Department today released the 2017 men's soccer schedule. The Badgers will play an 18 game slate, including nine North Atlantic Conference (NAC) games and 10 home contests.

Led by 1^st year Head Coach Shane Bufano, Johnson will host the season opener on Friday, September 1^st at 4:00 p.m. against Vermont Technical College. The Badgers will close out the opening weekend on Sunday, September 3^rd, hosting UMaine-Presque Isle at 12:00 p.m.

Johnson will have three more non-conference games against Wheelock, Curry and Worcester State before beginning NAC play against in-state rival Green Mountain on Saturday, September 16^th at 1:00 p.m. This game along with a non-conference game against Becker the following day at 12:00 p.m. will be a part of Alumni Reunion & Family Weekend, which you can learn more about HERE.

The Badgers will travel to Southern Vermont College on September 21^st before returning home for a weekend double-header against NAC foe Thomas on Saturday and Paul Smith's College on Sunday. Johnson will end September on the road at Maine Maritime on September 30^th followed by a visit to Husson on October 1^st.

Johnson will host NAC games against New England College and Colby-Sawyer on October the 7^th and 8^th, followed by their home finale and Senior Day on October 14^th against UMaine-Farmington. The Badgers will close out the season on the road with conference games against Castleton and Lyndon, followed by a non-conference game at Norwich on October 23^rd.

The 2017 NAC Tournament will begin on Sunday, October 29^th with the third and fourth seeded teams hosting the sixth and fifth seeded teams respectively. The first and second seeds will receive a first-round bye. The semifinals will be played on November 1^st with the one seed hosting the winner of four vs. five and the two seed hosting the winner of the three vs. six. The NAC Championship Game will be held on Saturday, November 4^th at the highest remaining seed. The NAC Champion will go on to represent the conference in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Johnson State finished the 2016 season with a 2-13 record overall and a 1-8 record in the NAC. The Badgers failed to qualify for the NAC playoffs, finishing ninth in the conference.

The 2017 Johnson State men's soccer schedule can be found in its entirety HERE.