Aug. 6, 2013

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou soccer team hits the pitch on Wednesday, Aug. 7 with two practices to officially open the 2013 preseason.

Practices will continue through the following week until Missouri hosts SMU in an exhibition contest on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Walton. Admission to the preseason contest is free.

The Tigers then officially open the 2013 season at home on Friday, Aug. 23 against Pacific at 6:30 p.m. Overall, Mizzou has nine home games and seven games against 2012 NCAA Tournament squads in 2013.

Missouri returns 15 letterwinners and eight starters from last season's 14-7-1 team that earned the program's fifth-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Seven newcomers also join the squad in 2013.

Head Coach Bryan Blitz is in his 18th year at the helm of the Tigers. He stands just 12 wins shy of 200 while at Mizzou.