Atlantic 10 Conference men’s and women’s soccer to play modified schedule this fall

The Atlantic 10 Conference has announced modified schedules for numerous sports, including men’s and women’s soccer, for the upcoming season.

Encompassing several areas that have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – such as New York, Pennsylvania and parts of New England – the Atlantic 10 is among the first NCAA Division I conferences to solidify major changes for fall sports.

In order to exercise caution about the potential spread of the coronavirus, Atlantic 10 programs will play 25 percent fewer conference games during the regular season. The condensed schedules will be more regionally-focused, in order to cut down on travel and missed class time, while also reducing expenses for athletic programs which may be facing budget concerns as a results of the pandemic.

[+READ: Several mid-major NCAA conferences to reduce costs for upcoming soccer season]

Along with the reduction of regular season games, the conference will adopt an abbreviated postseason tournament for various sports, including soccer. The conference tournaments will be limited to four teams instead of eight, and will take place over the course of just one weekend.

“The Atlantic 10 membership, like all of college sports, must carefully navigate the current environment with regards to health and safety while maintaining fiscal responsibilities,” said Thorr Bjorn, University of Rhode Island Athletic Director and chair of the A-10 Athletic Directors’ group. “I believe we’ve done that successfully this week, and I commend my colleagues and thank the Atlantic 10 staff for working together to address many key issues.”

Fourteen universities make up the Atlantic 10 Conference, spanning the Eastern Seaboard and into the Midwest: Davidson (NC), Dayton (OH), Duquesne (PA), Fordham (NY), George Mason (VA), George Washington (DC), La Salle (PA), Rhode Island (RI), VCU (VA), UMass (MA), Richmond (VA), St. Bonaventure (NY), Saint Louis (MO) and Saint Joseph’s (PA).