Westminster Blue Jays men's soccer reveals 2021 schedule

One week after the Westminster football team released its schedule, the Blue Jays men's soccer team revealed who they will be playing and when this season.

The regular season is set to kick off Sept. 1 with the Blue Jays facing Hannibal-LaGrange at 7 p.m. at Kent and Judith Mueller Stadium.

The pandemic-shortened 2020 season saw Westminster finish 8-5-1 and 5-4-1 in SLIAC play - good for a fourth-place finish in the conference. The Blue Jays did, however, advance to the conference championship game but lost to top-seeded Webster. Two years ago, with a full schedule, the Blue Jays played to a 5-12 overall record and 5-4 conference record, tying for fifth place in the conference. They were eliminated by Principia in the conference tournament semifinals that season.

"I am excited for this upcoming season," men's soccer head coach Adam Galla said. "After this past year, it'll be nice to get back to a somewhat normal fall season. This season's home and away conference format will make for a very competitive season."

Following an exhibition game Aug. 28 against Truman State and Westminster's kickoff game against Hannibal-LaGrange, the Blue Jays have three more games before they begin their conference schedule Sept. 15. The first of 14 straight conference games has Westminster playing a rematch of last year's conference championship game with Webster. The Gorloks won that game 2-1 on April 24 on their home field, but the Blue Jays will be hosting the rematch.

The schedule breakdown has Westminster playing 18 regular-season games - nine at home and nine on the road - with the final home game being against Blackburn at 5 p.m. Oct. 27, and the final road and regular season game being against Eureka at 3 p.m. Oct. 29. That Blackburn game will serve as Westminster's Senior Day. Another notable matchup sees the Blue Jays hosting fellow Fulton school and NAIA squad William Woods at 7 p.m. Sept. 8.