Nine Home Games on Tap for 2008 Billikens
June 24, 2008 ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis head women's soccer coach Tim Champion today announced the Billikens' 2008 schedule, a 20-game slate that includes four consecutive September home contests and five Atlantic 10 Conference tilts at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. In addition, Saint Louis will host the A-10 Championship Nov. 6-9. "The difficulty and diversity of our schedule will make the 2008 season interesting," Champion said. "Because we wanted to maintain the good strength of schedule we have had the past few years, we scheduled teams from several of the power conferences. We face opponents from the Big East, Big 12, SEC and Big Ten, plus three NCAA Tournament teams from last season. "Also, we play each of the five other teams that qualified for last season's A-10 Championship, and our conference road schedule is tough," Champion added. "Of course, being the conference tournament host will provide our players even greater incentive than usual to prepare and play well during the season." The Bills begin 2008 with three straight road games. SLU travels down I-55 to take on 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Southeast Missouri State in the opener Aug. 22, then treks to West Point, N.Y., to face Seton Hall Aug. 28 and Army Aug. 30. Saint Louis welcomes Nebraska, Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State and Army to Hermann Stadium for the Toys For Tots Tournament Sept. 5 and 7. The Billikens battle Nebraska Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m., preceded by Missouri State and Army at 5 p.m. Two days later, SLU and Missouri State square off at 1:30 p.m., preceded by Army and SEMO at 11 a.m. Champion and company remain on the home pitch the following weekend, hosting Butler Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. and Vanderbilt, a 2005 and 2006 NCAA Tournament team, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. SLU concludes the non-conference portion of its schedule on the road a week later, challenging 2007 NCAA Tournament qualifier Toledo Sept. 19 and Northwestern Sept. 21.
Perhaps the most difficult challenges on the Billikens' A-10 ledger occur immediately. A home game against Duquesne, which tied for second in the A-10 standings a year ago, gets things started Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Crucial road matches against both 2007 A-10 Championship finalists are next, as Saint Louis plays at runner-up Fordham Sept. 28 before taking on defending champion and NCAA Tournament participant Charlotte Oct. 4. SLU then will enjoy four of its next six outings at home. Saint Joseph's comes calling Oct. 10 at 7 p.m., and Temple is the Bills' guest Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. After playing at George Washington Oct. 17 and at Richmond Oct. 19, Saint Louis hosts Xavier Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. and Dayton Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. The Billikens wrap up the regular season at Massachusetts Oct. 31 and at Rhode Island Nov. 2. The six-team A-10 Championship begins with two games Nov. 6, continues with the semifinals Nov. 7 and concludes with the championship match Nov. 9. Game times and additional information will be announced prior to the event, which determines the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Saint Louis posted a 10-6-2 record (7-2-2 A-10) in 2007, giving the Billiken program at least 10 victories for the 10th time in its 12-year history. The Billikens have made two NCAA Tournament appearances, won three regular-season conference championships and captured two conference tournament crowns. |
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