Saint Louis University head women’s soccer coach Katie Shields has announced the Billikens’ 2016 schedule, a 19-game slate that features nine home contests at Robert R. Hermann Stadium and two games against 2015 NCAA Championship qualifiers.
“We are excited about our 2016 schedule,” Shields said. “The nonconference schedule is well-balanced, featuring teams from seven conferences with different styles of play and diverse personnel that will prepare us for Atlantic 10 Conference play. We will gain valuable experience during the nonconference slate, and that will help prepare us to compete for the A-10 title in November.”
After playing a home exhibition game vs. Missouri State Aug. 13, Saint Louis welcomes first-year program Kansas State of the Big 12 Conference to Hermann Stadium Aug. 19. Following their first road game Aug. 25 vs. IPFW, the Billikens host Big Ten Conference opponent Illinois Aug. 28.
SLU begins September by competing in a tournament hosted by Nebraska. The Billikens face Valparaiso Sept. 2 and the host Cornhuskers Sept. 4. That’s followed by a Sept. 8 trip to Evansville, which won the 2015 Missouri Valley Conference tournament and played in the NCAA Championship.
Local rival SIUE comes to town Sept. 11. SLU plays its final nonconference road game vs. SMUSept. 16 before taking on Murray State at Hermann Stadium Sept. 20. The 2015 Racers were 16-5 overall, went undefeated in the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Championship.
The Bills’ 10-game A-10 slate begins on the road Sept. 29 against archrival and 2015 regular-season runner-up Dayton. Saint Louis hosts Rhode Island Oct. 2, travels to Richmond Oct. 6, and completes the first half of the league schedule with consecutive home games vs. George MasonOct. 9 and Fordham Oct. 13.
A challenging three-game road swing follows as SLU plays St. Bonaventure Oct. 16, Saint Joseph’sOct. 20 and La Salle Oct. 23. The Billikens return to Hermann Stadium to take on VCU Oct. 27 and defending A-10 regular-season champion George Washington Oct. 30.
Rhode Island hosts the eight-team A-10 Championship Nov. 3-6.
