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RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University head women’s soccer coach Lindsay Basalyga released the team’s 2009 schedule on Thursday, and it is highlighted by the Colonels hosting BIG EAST school Cincinnati on September 13 and then travelling to face SEC power Florida in Gainesville just a week later.

“We are definitely excited about having a BIG EAST school and a top ranked SEC school on our schedule this year,” Basalyga said. “This is the level we are striving to get to so it will be a great indicator of where we are and where we need to be as a program.”

The Colonels open the 2009 season with an exciting road trip to play two MAC schools, Kent State on August 21 and then Miami (Ohio) just two days later.

“Starting our 2009 campaign on the road against two quality MAC schools will be an exciting challenge for our team,” Basalyga said.

Their home opener will come on August 28 when the Colonels host SIU-Edwardsville at EKU Soccer Field on Youth Day. After the match, EKU soccer players will host a skills clinic that all local youths are invited to attend.

Two days later, EKU will travel to play in-state rival Western Kentucky in Bowling Green. The Colonels and Hilltoppers battled to a 1-1 tie last year in Richmond.

EKU will host the Bearcats on September 13, the finale of a three-game home stand in which the Colonels also play Cleveland State and Winthrop at EKU Soccer Field. The match against Cincinnati will mark the first time EKU has ever hosted a BIG EAST school.

Following the game against Cincinnati, the Colonels will head south for a road trip in which they will face Jacksonville on September 18 and then Florida on September 20.

The final game of that road trip, at Austin Peay on September 27, will be the first game of EKU’s conference schedule.

The remainder of the Colonels’ conference schedule looks like this: Tennessee Tech on October 2, Jacksonville State on October 4, at Morehead State on October 9, at UT Martin October 16, at Murray State on October 18, Eastern Illinois on October 23 and Southeast Missouri State on October 25.

The match against SEMO on October 25 will be Senior Day at EKU Soccer Field.

“This schedule will definitely prepare us for an improving OVC,” Basalyga said. “Every team in the conference is improving and getting better recruits, and I think this schedule will certainly prepare us well for the tough task that lies ahead.” 

EKU is coming off its best season ever. The Colonels were 8-8-3 last year (5-3 OVC) and finished in second place in the conference during the regular season.

Three All-OVC players return from last year’s squad: senior defender Maddy Shumaker (first team), sophomore midfielder Heather Bruce (first team) and junior goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch (second team).