Aug 15, 2013

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou soccer team hits the pitch for the first time on Saturday, Aug. 17 with a home exhibition contest against the SMU Mustangs at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the game is free.

Fans can also follow the action live on GameTracker, StatsBroadcast and through the soccer team's official Twitter account, @MizzouSoccer.

The Tigers return eight starters and 15 letterwinners from 2012's 14-7-1 campaign that saw the squad earn its fifth-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The 14 wins also tied for second in the program's single-season wins list. Head Coach Bryan Blitz enters his 18th season at the helm of Missouri and stands 12 wins shy of 200 with the Tigers. 

SMU is coming off a 9-8-4 season in 2012. The Mustangs return eight starts from that squad, including All-C-USA honorees Shelby Redman (forward), Rikki Clarke (midfielder) and Courtney Smith (defender). 

Mizzou officially kicks off the 2013 season on Aug. 23 with a 6:30 p.m. contest against Pacific at Walton Stadium.