JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's director of soccer Richard Moodie has the Eagles' women's soccer program playing a schedule frontloaded with home games.

The Eagles will take to the friendly confines of McCown Field for their first three matches of 2013. 

"It's very advantageous to have those first games at home," Moodie said. "It's so important to get confidence early on for them.  This year having those three home games we think it will aid in building that confidence."

C-N opens up Sept. 6 with a contest with Ala.-Huntsville before tangling with Trevecca Nazarene and conference mate Wingate.  The Chargers were a 10-10 club last season.  TNU went 16-5-3 (the Eagles and Trojans tied in double overtime last year) and Wingate made an appearance in the NCAA tournament. 

"With a schedule like we've got, it gives us the opportunity to start out successful with 12 newcomers," Moodie said. "It shows where the focus is."

After a nonconference road contest at King, the Eagles play two of their next three at home.  A home match with Brevard is followed by a roadie to Young Harris and a contest with Lenoir-Rhyne – the SAC's other representative in the NCAA tournament. 

"Playing L-R and Wingate at home is important," Moodie said. "Realistically, we'd like to think we can challenge in the top half of the table this year.  To have two of the top teams at home, you'd want to have them at home where our fans are making it a difficult place to play."

However, the Eagles will close the season as road warriors, with four of the final five games away from Mossy Creek.  Carson-Newman travels to Coker and Mars Hill before senior day against Queens (Oct. 26), before closing at Tusculum and Anderson. 

-CN-