APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University athletics gets the 2016-17 academic year rolling this week as all of the Vikings’ fall sports teams are in action.
MEN’S SOCCER
Opponent: Lawrence at Concordia (Wis.)
When: Thursday, Sept. 1, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Mequon, Wis.
Series: Concordia leads the series 6-1-0 in a rivalry going back to 1987. Lawrence won the first meeting 6-1, but the Falcons have won the last six.
Last Meeting: The Falcons won 2-1 in overtime on Sept. 29, 2015, at the Banta Bowl.
Fast Fact: Lawrence is looking for its first win a season opener since the Vikings defeated George Fox 2-0 on Aug. 30, 2013. The Vikings are currently on a trip north of the border in Canada where they are scrimmaging several club teams.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Opponents: Lawrence vs. UW-La Crosse and St. Norbert.
When: Friday, Sept. 2. Lawrence vs. St. Norbert, 9 a.m.; Lawrence vs. UW-La Crosse, 3 p.m.
Where: Western Racquet Club, Green Bay, Wis.
Last Meeting: St. Norbert defeated Lawrence 8-1 on Sept. 20, 2015. UW-La Crosse topped the Vikings 9-0 in the season opener on Sept. 4, 2015.
Fast Fact: Lawrence has one newcomer among its eight players, rookie Alexis Shannon, who played her prep tennis just a few miles from campus at Appleton East High School.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Opponent: Lawrence at Concordia (Wis.)
When: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3. Sept. 2, Lawrence vs. Carthage, 2 p.m.; Sept. 3, Lawrence vs. Redlands, 2 p.m.
Where: California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Series: In a series that started in 1995, Carthage has a 5-0-0 lead over the Vikings. Lawrence has scored just one goal in the five contests vs. Carthage. This is the first meeting with Redlands.
Last Meeting: Carthage topped the Vikings 5-1 on Sept. 23, 2012, at Whiting Field West. This is the first meeting between Lawrence and Redlands.
Fast Fact: Lawrence’s health will be a key this season as the Vikings enter the 2016 campaign with 13 players. This is the first time any Lawrence team has played Redlands since the men’s basketball squad beat the Bulldogs 120-89 back in 2002-03.
VOLLEYBALL
Opponent: Captains Classic at Christopher Newport
When: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3. Sept 2, Lawrence vs. No. 11 Christopher Newport, 4 p.m., vs. UW-Platteville, 6 p.m.; Sept. 3, Lawrence vs. Stevenson, noon; vs. UMass-Boston, 2 p.m.
Where: Newport News, Va.
Series: This is the first meeting for the Vikings against all four opponents.
Fast Fact: Lawrence returns nearly all of its offense from a season ago, including All-Midwest Conference outside hitter Arianna Neumeyer. Returning setters Sydney Nelson and Lauren Ray combined for 7.51 assists per set a season ago.
CROSS COUNTRY
Event: Tom Barry Invitational
When: Saturday, Sept. 3, 11 a.m.
Where: Colburn Park, Green Bay, Wis.
Last Season: The Lawrence women finished fourth at the Tom Barry Invitational in 2015 with Erin Schrobilgen taking ninth to pace the Vikings. On the men’s side, Lawrence took seventh with Josh Janusiak placing eighth in his first collegiate race.
Fast Fact: This is the only event this season where Lawrence will not run 8,000 meters for the men and 6,000 meters for the women. This marks the eighth consecutive season Lawrence has opened its season at the Tom Barry Invitational with all of those coming during the tenure of head coach Jason Fast.
FOOTBALL
Opponent: Lawrence at Presentation
When: Saturday, Sept. 3, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Aberdeen, S.D.
Series: This is the first meeting between the teams.
Last Meeting: This is the first meeting between the teams.
Fast Fact: Presentation is a member of the NAIA and is in its fourth season of football. The Saints won four games a season ago. This is the first time Lawrence has played an NAIA opponent since it took on St. Francis back in 1987.