JUNE 21, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Drake women's soccer team, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Lindsey Horner, has unveiled its 2011 schedule, one that includes a challenging 18-match slate.

Drake returns eight starters this fall from a unit that posted a 10-6-3 ledger last season.

"In looking at our 2011 schedule we have some tough opponents and great road trips that should prepare us for our Missouri Valley Conference schedule," Horner commented. "Three of our opponents participated in the 2010 NCAA Tournament and are games we look forward to."

Drake will be challenged by a pair of road exhibitions at South Dakota on Aug. 11 and at Iowa on Aug. 13 in preparation for its season opener versus Iowa State on Aug. 19.

For the first time since the 2007 campaign the Bulldogs will open their season at home at the Cownie Soccer Complex as Drake hosts the Cyclones and Green Bay (Aug. 21).

"Our last two games with Iowa State have been exciting overtime draws and this season's game should provide an early test for our program," said Horner.

The Bulldogs visit Flagstaff, Ariz., the following weekend for dates against Northern Arizona (Aug. 26) and Southern Utah (Aug. 28).

"Northern Arizona won its league in conference play and it should provide for a great match up for us," Horner explained.

Drake returns home for a pair of contests on Parents Weekend, playing South Dakota State (Sept. 2) and Western Illinois (Sept. 4) before embarking on a nearly month-long five-game road swing.

The Bulldogs face contests at UMKC (Sept. 9), Wyoming (Sept. 16), Northern Colorado (Sept. 18) and North Dakota State (Sept. 22) before opening their Missouri Valley Conference slate at Illinois State on Sept. 25.

"Our trip to Wyoming and Northern Colorado will allow five of our players to compete within their home state of Colorado," Horner stated.  "The level of competition in these two games will be excellent and very similar to what we will see in MVC play." 

Drake rounds out the month of September with its league home opener against Indiana State on Sept. 30.  The Bulldogs will work in conjunction with the American Cancer Society to raise awareness and funds for cancer research as Drake hosts its Kick Cancer contest versus the Sycamores.

The Bulldogs also host 2010 MVC champion Creighton (Oct. 18) and Northern Iowa (Oct. 27) in league action, while stepping out of conference to battle Cal State Bakersfield (Oct. 9) on Senior Day.  The Bulldogs also will be challenged by MVC dates at Missouri State (Oct. 7) and Evansville (Oct. 23).

Sprinkled into the conference slate will be a road test at 2010 NCAA Tournament participant Texas A&M on Oct. 14.

"Texas A&M ended the season ranked 25th in the nation so the opportunity to play a nationally-ranked program in an exciting atmosphere will be a great experience in so many ways," Horner commented.

First round play in the State Farm MVC Championship begins on campus sites on Oct. 30 before the final two rounds are contested in Springfield, Mo. (Nov. 4-6).