Colorado Cup highlights women's soccer schedule

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Northern Colorado schedule | Colorado Cup release

GREELEY, Colo. – As August rapidly approaches, Northern Colorado's head women's soccer coach, Tim Barrera, has announced his team's upcoming schedule.

One of the highlights of the 2011 schedule is the Bears' participation in the inaugural Colorado Cup to kick off the season.

The Cup, created by Colorado's head coach Bill Hempen, is set to begin on Aug. 19 and will include all four Colorado soccer programs: Northern Colorado, Denver, Colorado and Colorado College. Northern Colorado travels to the campus of Denver University, while the Buffaloes play host to Colorado College in the opening round.

The tournament will continue on Aug. 21, when the Bears face off against Colorado in Boulder. Denver will also host Colorado College.

"We are very excited to be a part of the first-ever Colorado Cup," Barrera said. "It will be great for us to play against two very tough teams in the first two games of the season.

"I also know the players are excited to play in the tournament, as so many of them will be facing off against players they know through high school or club soccer. The tournament will really provide a good stage to show off the quality of soccer in the state."

After finishing up the Colorado Cup, the Bears will host Jacksonville in their home-opener. They also will face off against Utah State at home before beginning a four-game road trip that begins against in-state rival Air Force.

"I really think the schedule is tougher this year than in years' past," Barrera said. "Our non-conference schedule is going to really help prepare us for Big Sky play. Hopefully, we can continue to improve throughout the season and peak at the right time."

Northern Colorado begins Big Sky Conference play by hosting defending-regular season champions Northern Arizona on Sept. 30.

Before really getting into conference competition though, the Bears make the short trip north to Laramie, Wyo. to take on Wyoming in a continuation of a budding rivalry.

The remainder of the conference schedule is highlighted by home games against Weber State, Idaho State and Montana.

The Bears' wrap up their regular season with senior night against Nebraska-Omaha. The Big Sky Tournament will kick off on Nov. 2.