FARMVILLE — Five games against teams that finished 2014 inside the top-100 of the RPI highlight the 2015 slate for the Longwood men’s soccer team, as announced Wednesday by head coach Jon Atkinson.

The schedule is highlighted by 11 home regular season dates, including six of Longwood’s nine out-of-conference opponents. Longwood will open its schedule with three straight home fixtures with exhibitions against Mary Washington and Bluefield State before opening the regular season Aug. 28 against in-state foe VMI.

Overall, seven of Longwood’s 20 opponents in 2015 posted double-digit win totals a year ago, including George Mason (11-4-5) and Navy (11-4-5) – who each finished among the top-100 in the RPI a season ago.

While the Patriots and Midshipmen highlight the home portion of the out-of-conference schedule, William & Mary, Howard and Portland will round out the out-of-conference slate at the Athletics Complex. On the road, Longwood will renew its series against Appalachian State, George Washington and UNC Greensboro from a season ago.

“Our out-of-conference schedule will certainly put us to the test and we can’t wait to get started,” Atkinson said.

“The home fans are in for a treat as we boast six of our nine non-conference contests at home, including some new faces in the form of Portland and George Mason, both extremely talented squads. Each game will be one more opportunity to prepare for what is gearing up for a fantastic year in the Big South.”

The Lancers will begin the Big South gauntlet Sept. 26 with a trip to Campbell and will play its first two conference games away from Farmville before hosting High Point Oct. 10 at the Athletics Complex.

Reigning Big South Champion Coastal Carolina (16-6-1) travels to Farmville for an Oct. 24 meeting, accounting for one of the six home contests during October. In addition to the Chanticleers, Winthrop and High Point will make the trek to Farmville, as the Lancers will host three of the top four teams in the Big South from a season ago.

“We all know we’re chasing Coastal and after that there is a coin toss who will come from the pack to challenge with every team capable of putting a run together such as Radford showed us last year,” Atkinson said.

Longwood returns its top two scorers from a season ago in Dan Campos, a Second-Team All-Big South Selection, and Zach Crandell. In net, the Lancers return rising junior Carlos Canas, who has managed a career .712 save percentage to go along with a 1.70 goals against average. Longwood returns nine of 11 starters from 2014, as the Lancers look to build upon their second straight Big South Tournament appearance.

“It’s a truly exciting time to be a part of the Longwood men’s soccer program and being a Lancer in general,” Atkinson said.

“We’re becoming accustomed to our conference and position within DI athletics with every passing season. With 11 home regular season fixtures, we want to reward the fans with some exciting soccer and exciting events for the Lancer 12th man to bring home field advantage to the fore.”