You’re here, you’ve bought all your WeSwag, and you’ve learned the fight song, so when are you going to put that all to good use to support your Wesleyan Cardinals?

Seven varsity squads will play home games right here on campus during the fall sports season. Now, you’ll have plenty of homework and day-drinking to do. You likely won’t be able to represent Wesleyan at every game. That said, put these matches in your planners, set alarms on your phone, and do whatever you have to do to remember to show up and cheer on the cardinal and black. Body paint recommended; enthusiasm mandatory.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Men’s Soccer vs. Framingham State

6:00 p.m., Jackson Field (next to the Center for the Arts)

Wesleyan Athletics kicks things off with one of its premier teams. Men’s soccer qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament for the third time in four years last season, and coach Geoff Wheeler’s crew will seek to do it again this fall. Framingham State has never come to Jackson Field before, and the Cardinals will be looking to come away with their first-ever victory over this non-conference foe.

 

Friday, Sept. 13

Volleyball vs. Eastern Connecticut State University

7:00 p.m., Silloway Gymnasium (at Freeman Athletic Center)

Here’s the first of the Friday night volleyball games, always a raucous affair. Go shirtless with the men’s crew team, or just cheer along with them at this intrastate, rivalry match.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 17

Men’s Soccer vs. Tufts

4:30 p.m., Jackson Field

Field Hockey vs. Tufts

6:00 p.m., Smith Field (behind Freeman Athletic Center)

Clear your schedule for this weekday afternoon, the beginning of New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play. NESCAC is one of the toughest leagues in all of DIII. First up is Tufts, which beat men’s soccer once and field hockey twice in 2012, so Wesleyan will be looking for revenge from day one.

 

Saturday, Sept. 21

Football vs. Tufts

6:00 p.m., Andrus Field (outside Usdan)

Did you know that Andrus Field is the oldest continuously used college football field in the United States? Corwin Stadium may not be a freestanding structure, but Wes has chalked its gridiron onto the same patch of grass since the 1880s. Over a century later, Andrus will now host the first night football game in NESCAC history. This game is truly not to be missed.

 

Saturday, Oct. 5

Women’s Soccer vs. Colby

11:00 a.m., Jackson Field

Though Colby once had Wesleyan women’s soccer’s number, the Cards have not lost to the Mules at home in their last four meetings. The team may be without Laura Kurash ’13, the reigning NESCAC Player of the Year, but it will still be gunning to defend its turf in the absence of its graduated star.

 

Saturday, Oct. 12

Field Hockey vs. Williams

12:00 p.m., Smith Field

Men’s Soccer vs. Williams

12:00 p.m., Jackson Field

Football vs. Bates

1:00 p.m., Andrus Field

Women’s Soccer vs. Williams

1:30 p.m., Jackson Field

October is a pretty lean month for home games, but man, is this Saturday packed with them. Bates at Andrus is always nice, but the real prize here is the triple-header of Little Three action taking place at Jackson and Smith. Another primer: Little Three is the name for the rivalry between Wesleyan, Williams, and Amherst. Those are Wes’ two most hated opponents, and that day, we’ll have three shots to take Williams down.

 

Friday, Nov. 1

Volleyball vs. Amherst

8:00 p.m., Silloway Gymnasium

Remember what we said about the wild volleyball crowds? Now add in the Little Three and NESCAC implications, and we’ve got a party on our hands. It has all the makings of an incredible atmosphere, but don’t burn out on Cardinal sports that night because the next day…

 

Saturday, Nov. 2

Football vs. Williams

1:00 p.m., Andrus Field

Volleyball vs. Williams

2:00 p.m., Silloway Gym

Congratulations, frosh: you hit the Homecoming jackpot. The biggest football game of the year features the highest-possible stakes. Not only will parents and alumni be in town for this heated matchup, but given the performance of Mike Whalen’s squad last season, this one could have a major impact on the NESCAC title. On top of that, you have volleyball competing in its second Little Three match in as many days, while both men’s and women’s soccer could potentially be hosting playoff games over at Jackson. Go to one or stop by them all; just know that there is plenty to take pride in.