Aug. 28, 2003

Memphis, Tenn.-- -

The University of Memphis women's team soccer will open its 2003 regular season campaign against a pair of Southeastern Conference teams this weekend. The Lady Tigers will host Mississippi State in their season-opener Friday at Echles Field with kickoff set for 7 p.m., then travel to Oxford, Miss., to take on the Ole Miss Rebels Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Lady Tigers are coming off a 2002 season that saw the squad win a program-record five games in Conference USA play and earn a spot in the league tournament for the first time since 1997 posting a 9-10-1 overall record. "Our girls are excited to get the regular season underway," fourth-year head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "We had a great offseason including the spring season and our fall camp, so we should be ready for the challenges this season will offer. And those challenges start with these two matches against SEC teams."

This will be only the third time in the program's nine-year history the Lady Tigers will open their season at home. Memphis is 2-0 in season-openers at home and the Lady Tigers have not lost a home-opener since a 1-0 loss to Louisville in its inaugural season of 1995 posting a 6-0-1 record during that stretch.

Mississippi State is the only non-conference school that has been on the Lady Tigers' schedule every year of its existence. Memphis evened the overall series at 3-3-2 with a 3-2 OT win at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Midfielder Nicky McLeod, a C-USA all-freshman team selection last season, scored the game-winner just 31 seconds into the extra period. The overtime match was the fourth in the eight matches between the two schools. The Lady Tigers are 1-1-2 in those matches.

Ole Miss has held the upperhand in the series with Memphis claiming a 1-4-1 overall edge, but the Lady Tigers won the last meeting between the two schools logging a 1-0 victory in 2001. The scheduled contest between the two squads last season was cancelled due to inclement weather. The Lady Tigers are 1-1-1 in their last three matches with the Rebels.

The Mississippi State contest was originally scheduled for the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, but it along with the Lady Tigers' match with Southeastern Missouri State on September 9th have been switched to Echles Field.