SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Highlighted by 10 home matches at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium, Missouri State women's soccer head coach Rob Brewer announced the Bears' schedule for the 2017 season on Tuesday, June 27. The slate features 18 regular-season matches and a pair of exhibition contests against North Dakota State (Aug. 12) and crosstown rival Drury (Aug. 16).
 
"We have a strong group returning and some very talented freshmen coming in," Brewer said. "We should see a variety of styles of play and some very strong opponents so we should be well tested by tournament time. We played fewer matches last season due to weather and scheduling challenges, so this year will be a big challenge for us to step things up."
 
The Bears kick off the regular season at home on Aug. 18 against Arkansas State before heading on the road for the remainder of the month. The squad will travel South for a face-off at Mississippi State on Aug. 20 and will cross the state line twice more for matches at Central Arkansas (Aug. 25) and Little Rock (Aug. 27).
 
Following its three-game road stint, MSU returns home for a pair of in-state matches. The Bears will first host Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 1, followed by a match against the Billikens of Saint Louis two days later (Sept. 3).
 
On Sept. 8, the Bears will trek to the campus of Nebraska-Omaha before heading to SIU-Edwardsville on Sept. 10. The Cougars posted a 10-8-5 record last season and made an impressive run in the 2016 NCAA tournament, advancing to the second round.
 
MSU will play the remainder of its nonconference games at home, beginning with a Sept. 12 contest against Oral Roberts. Two days later, the Bears will play host to UMKC (Sept.15) followed by their last nonconference match of the regular season against Tulsa on Sept. 17.
 
"We will face some very tough competition against Mississippi State, Saint Louis, UMKC and Tulsa," Brewer added. "SIUE eliminated Notre Dame out of the NCAA tournament last year, so we will face some strong teams before opening up conference play."
 
Welcoming new league member Valparaiso into Missouri Valley Conference play, Missouri State kicks off its conference schedule with the final game of its four-game homestand on Sept. 23. Though Valparaiso is new to the league, the Bears are 3-0-0 all-time against the Crusaders.
 
After their conference opener, the Bears hit the road for a pair of league matches at Indiana State (Sept. 28) and Loyola (Oct. 1), then return home for two more against UNI (Oct. 7) and Drake (Oct. 17). On Oct. 21, the Bears embark on their final road trip of the regular season to take on the Purple Aces at Evansville.
 
The Bears' final game of the regular season will serve as senior day, taking on defending MVC champion Illinois State at home on Oct. 26.

"We always expect our team to work hard and do what we can in hopes of winning the Missouri Valley Conference and position ourselves to win the MVC Tournament," Brewer said. "With a couple new coaches and a new member joining the league, this season will present some exciting new elements."
 
The 2017 MVC Women's Soccer Championship, hosted by Missouri State, will follow the same format as last year with the top six teams in the league earning bids into the championship tournament. The opening round will be held at campus sites with the semifinals and final played Nov. 3-5 at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium.
 
Returning a strong crop of veterans, including a trio of all-conference selections, the Bears welcome nine incoming freshmen for the 22^nd year of competition under the founding Brewer era. At the helm, Brewer has led Missouri State to a 187-170-48 overall record and 56-31-19 mark in MVC play.