SFA Announces Spring Soccer Slate
2/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 9, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack head soccer coach Jaime Frias announced Thursday his team's spring soccer schedule. The slate includes three home events and is highlighted by games against the North Texas Olympic Development Program and the Chinese Under-18 National Team.
"This is, by far, the most competitive spring schedule our program has ever had," Frias said. "Our goal in the spring is to develop and challenge our players as much as possible. This schedule will allow us to assess each player's technical ability and decision-making on and off the ball in very competitive environments."
The slate kicks off on Feb. 25 with the Lonestar Soccer Club College Showcase. The Ladyjacks will open with a 10 a.m. contest against Baylor, followed by a 2 p.m. opponent that is yet to be determined.
"This event will allow us to play against some very good Big 12 programs," Frias said. "Big 12 teams are typically very athletic and organized as a whole. The challenge for our team will be how to handle constant pressure from our opponents in a composed and organized manner. We're honored to have been considered as one of the college teams for this event."
On March 4, SFA will host the first of two straight home events - the Ladyjack 7v7 Tournament. Opponents include the Challenge S.C., Eclipse S.C. and the Dynamos S.C. Games will be played between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
"We're playing some of the best club teams in the southern United State," Frias said. "The Challenge, Eclipse and Dynamos soccer clubs all do a phenomenal job in the area of player development. These clubs consistently produce some of the best talent in our region. I'm grateful to Pat O'Toole, Mac McCallum and Geoffrey Woodham for bringing their club teams to SFA this spring."
The Ladyjacks will take on the North Texas Olympic Development Program squad in a home contest on March 26. That game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.
"This year's crop of North Texas ODP players boasts some of the best youth talent in the country," Frias said. "They have a number of Regional and National Team players on that squad. It should be a very good match for our team."
SFA's next competition will be April 2 in Waco. The Ladyjacks are scheduled for two matches that day, beginning at 9 a.m. against the East Texas Spirit 88. The second game is set for 1 p.m. against the Chinese Under-18 National Team. The Chinese U-18 squad is participating in the event as part of its tour across the southern U.S. The team has scheduled some of the top Division I programs in the country, according to Frias.
"We'll have the chance to play our first international game in the program's history," the coach said. "We were fortunate enough to get invited to participate in one of the round robin tournaments held in Waco. This will definitely be an experience to remember for our players."
SFA will wrap up the spring season on April 18 with a home game against the Challenge S.C. Travel Team. The start time is set for 2 p.m.
- SFA -
