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PIONEERS READY TO KICK OFF THE 2007 SOCCER SEASON
 DENTON, Texas (August 21) – Final preparations are being completed on the new home for the Texas Woman’s University soccer team with the inaugural game – and season opener - scheduled for this Friday, Aug. 24, at 2 p.m. against Southwest Baptist.
Friday’s contest will be held on the new on-campus TWU Soccer Field (located directly behind Pioneer Hall). The state-of-the-art facility (pictured) was completed in the spring of 2007. Finishing touches are being put on the new sound system, and windscreens and signage are being hung on the fencing that encloses the venue.
To celebrate the opening of the new field, admission to the game is free. Additionally, commemorative TWU Soccer Field Inaugural Game t-shirts will be given away to the first 100 people through the gates. Cold water and soft drinks will also be provided for fans (while supplies last).
 “My team and I are so excited to be playing the first game on our new field this Friday. This will begin a new era in the history of TWU Soccer. Having an on-campus facility really gives us a home field advantage that I’m hopeful we can capitalize on,” said TWU head soccer coach Fleur Benatar.
After their season-opening home game, TWU will be on the road for its next three games - versus the University of Central Missouri in Wichita Falls on Aug. 26, at the University of North Texas on Aug. 31, and then a game against Sterling College in Cedar Hill on Sept. 1.
The Pioneers will be back at home for games against Texas Wesleyan on Wednesday, Sept. 5, and Missouri Southern on Sunday, Sept. 9.
TWU will conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule with road games against Dallas Baptist on Sept. 11 and Harding on Sept. 21, sandwiched around a home meeting against Incarnate Word on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Lone Star Conference play begins for the Pioneers in late September. Each of the 11 LSC teams will play the other 10 once during the regular season, with the results of those contests to be used in determining the seeds for a six-team postseason conference tournament. This year's tournament will be hosted by the No. 1 seed the first weekend in November. TWU will be looking to return to the conference tournament after missing the event in 2006.
There are five conference home games and five conference road games on the calendar. East Central (Sunday, Sept. 23), Northeastern State (Sunday, Sept. 30), Texas A&M University-Commerce (Wednesday, Oct. 10), West Texas A&M (Friday, Oct. 19) and Eastern New Mexico (Sunday, Oct. 21) will all come to Denton this year. TWU will pay visits to defending LSC champion Central Oklahoma (Friday, Oct. 5), Southwestern Oklahoma State (Sunday, Oct. 7), Midwestern State (Sunday, Oct. 14), Angelo State (Friday, Oct. 26), and Abilene Christian (Sunday, Oct. 28).
This year’s squad will feature 11 returning letter winners and nine returning starters. Benatar expects senior Sue Cribbes (a 2006 All-Lone Star Conference second team selection) and sophomore Chastity Hayter (a 2006 All-Conference honorable mention pick) to anchor the Pioneers’ defense.
Senior midfielders Christine Hornisher (3 goals/1 assist in 2006) and Romy Luna (1 goal/1 assist in 2006) should be the catalysts for the TWU offense.
There will also be numerous new faces on the pitch for TWU in 2007. Eleven freshmen and two junior college transfers will be making their Pioneer debut this Friday.
Benatar recognizes the importance of her veteran core meshing with her large incoming class.
“That’s really going to be a key for us,” she explained. “All of our new players are exceptionally talented and they should be able to contribute right away. It’s going to be critical, however, that we build some team chemistry early and learn how to play together as the season goes on.”
Season tickets are available for all of the 2007 TWU Soccer home games (excluding the inaugural game). For additional information, please contact the TWU Athletics office at (940) 898-2378. |
