Aug. 16, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - The Mizzou women's soccer team opens the 2004 season hosting the Southwest Missouri State Bears in an exhibition game on Fri., Aug. 20 at 7:00 p.m. The preliminary match held in Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium is open to the public. Mizzou kicks off the regular season on the road next week facing Northwestern on Aug. 27 in Evanston, Ill., before challenging Illinois on Aug. 29 in Champaign. The Tigers officially open the 2004 home season hosting the Nike Tiger Invitational Fri., Sept. 3 and Sun., Sept. 5. The Tigers welcome Wisconsin, Baylor and Iowa to the two-day round robin. Jumping into the 2004 competitive season, the Tigers look to rekindle the late season rally that fired them to the Big 12 Championship final and their first NCAA Tournament victory over Eastern Illinois (1-0). Bolstering the fight, Mizzou returns a solid lineup of veterans, including five All-Big 12 Tournament athletes in defenders Karen Bauer and Erica Pusch, midfielder Elyse Nikonchuk and forwards Melissa Peabody and Kristen Heil. Season tickets are still available through the KMIZ-ZOU sports pass. For more information, please call the Mizzou Athletic Department Ticket Office at 1-800-884-PAWS or 884-PAWS locally.