July 9, 2007

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis men's soccer coach Dan Donigan today announced the Billikens' 2007 schedule. The 17-match slate includes four contests against NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago and nine regular-season games at SLU's Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

"We put together a schedule that is challenging yet imperative to helping us reach our goal, which is to again qualify and play deep into the NCAA Tournament," Donigan said. "Many of the teams we scheduled for non-conference games have the chance to go on and have great seasons, which will obviously prove beneficial for us to get positive results against these teams."

The Billikens, who annually play one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country, will have to be sharp early as they begin the season with three tough matches away from Hermann Stadium. They open the regular season against perennial national contender SMU on Aug. 31 in Dallas. The following weekend, SLU travels will face Atlantic Coast Conference opponents NC State and Duke at the Blue Devils' Duke/adidas Soccer Classic in Raleigh, N.C.

The Billikens will enjoy their home opener on Sept. 13 when they entertain Loyola Marymount in the Saint Louis/Nike Soccer Classic, the first time in four years SLU has hosted the prestigious regular-season tournament. A Sept. 15 date against Indiana at Hermann Stadium will cap the event, which will also feature Creighton facing both LMU and IU. The Saint Louis/Nike Soccer Classic will coincide with women's soccer's Toys for Tots Tournament that will take place on Friday and Sunday of that weekend.

"I anticipate that weekend to be one of the best weekends of collegiate soccer in St. Louis in recent memory," Donigan said. "We were fortunate to bring in three quality teams to host what I believe will be one of the top tournaments in the country. All four teams could be ranked in the top 20 when the tournament starts."

After a road test at regional-rival Bradley on Sept. 22, the Billikens close their non-conference schedule at home with a Sept. 29 Homecoming date against Central Florida and an Oct. 6 matchup against Buffalo.

The Billikens open their third season in the Atlantic 10 Conference on Oct. 12 at St. Bonaventure, then follow that matchup with an Oct. 14 match at Duquesne. Massachusetts comes to town on Oct. 19, and the Billikens will renew their rivalry against Rhode Island on Oct. 21 in an afternoon game at Hermann Stadium. After a road trip to Richmond and George Washington on Oct. 26 and 28, respectively, the Billikens close their regular season with three home tilts. Saint Joseph's is on the docket for Nov. 2, with Temple slated for Nov. 4. The Billikens wrap up their regular season on Nov. 10 in a Saturday night game against Charlotte.

Dayton plays host to the A-10 Championship beginning Nov. 15. NCAA Tournament play begins Nov. 23 and culminates with the College Cup at SAS Soccer Stadium in Cary, N.C., beginning Dec. 16.

Donigan has also scheduled two exhibition matches to prepare for the 2007 season. The Billikens travel to Tampa, Fla., to face South Florida on Aug. 21. Northwestern then comes to Hermann Stadium on Aug. 25 for a Saturday night tilt in a rematch of last year's NCAA Second Round match.

On the nine-game home slate, SLU hosts four Saturday night games, two Friday night games, two Sunday afternoon games and one Thursday night tilt. For ticket information and group sales options, call the Billiken Ticket Office at (314) 977-4SLU or visit www.slubillikens.com.