@MizzouSoccer Hosts Central Arkansas and Iowa to Open 2016 Season

Sunday, August 21

Columbia, Mo.

1:00 p.m.

University of Missouri

Iowa

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@MizzouSoccer Hosts Central Arkansas and Iowa to Open 2016 Season

8/17/2016 3:25:00 PM | Soccer

The Tigers Host Central Arkansas at 6:30 p.m. on Friday; Iowa at 1 p.m. on Sunday

This Week: Friday, Aug. 19 / Saturday, Aug. 21
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME	VIDEO	STATS
Central Arkansas	Walton Stadium	Friday	6:30 p.m.	SEC Net +	Stats
Iowa	Walton Stadium	Sunday	1:00 p.m.	SEC Net +	Stats

GAME NOTES (PDF)

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou soccer team officially opens the 2016 season on Friday, Aug. 19, as the Tigers host Central Arkansas at 6:30 p.m. at Walton Stadium. Mizzou then faces Iowa on Sunday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m., also at Walton Stadium. Both matches will be broadcast live on SEC Network +.

MIZZOU STORYLINES

Mizzou leads the all-time series with Iowa, 8-0-0. Friday's contest marks the first-ever matchup between the Tigers and Bears.
The Tigers return eight starters from the 2015 squad that finished second in the Southeastern Conference regular season standings with a 7-2-2 conference mark. Mizzou went 9-5-5 overall on the season.
Last year, the Tigers also set a program record for fewest goals allowed (17) and notched the second-lowest goals-against-average in team history (0.84).
Three Tigers earned spots on the 2016 SEC Watch List: junior midfielder Kaitlyn Clark, senior midfielder Melanie Donaldson and senior defender Jasmine Johnson.
Donaldson claimed postseason honors from the SEC a season ago, when she was tabbed to the second team.
Junior forward Jessica Johnson is the team's top returning scorer from 2015, when she tied for the team lead in points (10) with three goals and four assists. All three of her goals were game-winners.
The 2016 schedule includes three nationally televised contests and 11 home games.
Mizzou also faces five teams that qualified for the 2015 NCAA Tournament this season, including matchups with Notre Dame (second round), Florida (Sweet 16), Texas A&M (Elite Eight), Auburn (Sweet 16) and Ole Miss (Sweet 16).
The Tigers were picked to finish sixth in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, released on Aug. 11. Missouri was also selected sixth a year ago before finishing second in the league standings.
Mizzou Head Coach Bryan Blitz enters his 21st season at the helm of the Tigers and boasts a 217-170-29 record with the program.
The 2016 squad features six newcomers to the Mizzou soccer family: D Izzy Coulter (Niceville, Fla.), D Anna Frick (Webster Groves, Mo.), D Peyton Joseph (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), M Grace Kitts (Leawood, Kan.), M Sarah Luebbert (Jefferson City, Mo.) and GK Mercedes Sapp (Windermere, Fla.).
Last time out in exhibition action, Mizzou notched a 1-1 tie at No. 9 North Carolina on Aug. 13. Luebbert tallied the Tigers' goal off an assist from junior Allie Hess. Twenty-three Tigers saw action against the Tar Heels in the final tune-up of the exhibition season.
Fifteen Mizzou games will be televised live in 2016, with three on the SEC Network and 12 on SEC Network +.