BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Head football coach Mike Lichten has released his program's 2018 schedule, as the University of New England prepares for its first season of full varsity competition.

The year will commence on Thursday, August 30 with the visit to Cadet Field in New London, Connecticut and a contest against Coast Guard Academy [3-7 in 2017]. The following Saturday (Sep. 8), the Nor'easters will open up their home slate versus Husson University [10-2].

A third non-league date will come on September 15, when UNE travels to Everett Stadium in Virginia for a matchup with Hampden-Sydney College [6-4].

After a bye week, the Nor'easters get into their six-game Commonwealth Coast Football schedule. UNE will be at Nichols College [2-8, 0-5] on September 29, home against Curry College [8-3, 4-1] on October 6, home with Endicott College [3-7, 2-3] on October 13, at Western New England University [8-3, 5-0] on October 20, home versus Salve Regina University [6-3, 3-2] on October 27, and at Becker College [1-9, 1-4] on November 3.

The season is set to conclude on November 10 with a non-conference meeting of new varsity programs, as Alvernia University (Pa.) makes the trip to Biddeford.

"It's always an honor to play against a service institution, so to start the season off at Coast Guard will be a special experience," commented Lichten. "We are thrilled to be able to compete outside our region right from year one and to do so against such a historic institution like Hamdpen-Sydney, and the opportunity to square off with another new program in Alvernia will be a nice moment for our sport."

"As far as playing our fellow Commonwealth Coast Football institutions, and soon-to-be member in Husson, it will certainly present a good test for us each and every time out," Lichten added.

2018 University of New England Football Schedule