Feb. 24, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's soccer team announced their spring schedule on Wednesday, featuring the full allotment of five games for the defending Big 12 Regular Season Champions. The Tigers will host three home matches, highlighted by a contest against St. Louis Athletica of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) on March 20th, while also traveling to Kansas City and St. Louis for neutral site meetings.
Mizzou kicks off the spring campaign Saturday, Feb. 27 with in-state opponent Missouri State. The Lady Bears are coming off a 9-6-3 record in the fall season, where they advanced to the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Faurot Field but may be moved to the Devine Indoor Practice Facility pending weather conditions.
The Tigers will then take to the road the following weekend for a matchup with Minnesota in Kansas City at Noon on Sunday, March 7. The game, to be held at the Overland Park Soccer Complex, marks the third consecutive spring season the two teams have faced one another, with the Tigers earning a 1-0 victory a year ago. The Gophers went 12-5-3 overall last season and are coached by former Missouri assistant Mikki Denney Wright.
Missouri then returns home for a marquee match with professional side St. Louis Athletica on Saturday, March 20 at Walton Stadium. Coached by Brazilian national team manager Jorge Barcellos, Athletica finished second in the inaugural WPS season in 2009. St. Louis' roster includes U.S. Women's National Team players Shannon Boxx, Hope Solo and Lindsay Tarpley who will be in preseason preparation for their season opener three weeks later.
Following spring break, Missouri will take on Illinois at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo. The game is part of the ninth annual Parkway College Showcase, and will be Missouri's first match against the Fighting Illini since the two teams met in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers close out their spring schedule at home with a third Big Ten Conference opponent, facing Indiana at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 17 at Walton Stadium. The Hoosiers, alma mater of Missouri assistant coach Shaunna Daugherty, went 10-7-2 in their fall season. The match is part of Missouri's alumni weekend that will also feature a 5k Run/Walk on Sunday, April 18 at 9 a.m. with proceeds benefiting The Shelter.