Aug. 18, 2005

Mizzou soccer fans will get their first look at the 2005 Tigers on Saturday, Aug. 20 at the annual Black and Gold Game, which will start at 6 p.m. at Walton Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for last Saturday, but was postponed due to poor weather conditions.

The 2005 season marks the 10th anniversary of women's soccer at Mizzou. The Tigers will take on the MU men's club team on Saturday night and admission to the event is free.

Ten letterwinners return from last year's squad including seniors Jennifer Nobis and Erica Pusch, each of whom was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Junior Elyse Nikonchuk, an All-Central Region Third Team selection also returns in 2005. The returners will be joined by a talented group of 10 newcomers.

"The preseason is going very well right now," Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "The team has been training at a very high level and we are beginning to play as a cohesive group. The newcomers are starting to get a grasp of the system and style of play that we have in place as well as meshing well with the returners. We hope a lot of fans will have the opportunity to come out this Saturday night to watch the team and get a taste of what it will be like to support the Mizzou soccer program this season."

Missouri will open up the regular season on Aug. 26 against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. The first home action for Mizzou will be on Sept. 2, as Indiana visits Walton Stadium at 7 p.m.

For more information visit www.mutigers.com.