Aug. 7, 2009

2009 Soccer Schedule

RUSTON -- When the Louisiana Tech women's soccer team opens its 2009 season Aug. 21 at home against Lamar, the Lady Techsters will be playing their inaugural game on the new Lady Techster Soccer Field.

The new home for the program is located across Alabama Ave. from the Charles Wyly Athletic Center, west of the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

"In a continuing effort to promote gender equity, I am proud that our Lady Techster soccer team has a venue they can call home," said Tech Athletic Director Derek Dooley.

This summer, Tech grounds personnel have been manicuring the playing surface while plans are in place for the facility to feature a scoreboard, press box, permanent bleachers, fencing and sound system once completed.

Tech head coach Kevin Sherry said he is thrilled about the new facility which will be a work in progress during its first season.

"Facilities are a big part of recruiting, and now that we have our own, it will help with the process," Sherry added. "I was brought to Louisiana Tech to turn the soccer program around. We have changed the culture of the team, improved its academic standing, improved the results of the team and now this new facility will help take the program to the level we set as our goal."

The field, scoreboard and temporary bleachers will be in place for the home opener while the permanent bleachers, press box and fencing are scheduled to be added during the upcoming year.

The Lady Techsters, who are coming off the program's first winning season posting a 10-5-5 mark in 2008, have a total of 12 home games scheduled for the facility this year, including the first ever WAC game Oct. 2 against Idaho.

"I would like to thank the administration for making this possible," Sherry said. "Everyone has worked so diligently in getting our field and infrastructure ready for the season. Having our own field is very beneficial in so many ways. It gives our team a sense of ownership and pride, and that is very important."

Since the inception of the program in 2005, Tech has played the majority of its home games at Joe Aillet Stadium, home to the Bulldog football team. However, Sherry said having the new facility would benefit the program in numerous ways.

As a result of the venue change, several home game times have been modified. Tech's games against Lamar, Grambling State and Centenary have been moved up to 5 p.m. The Techsters' conference contests against Idaho and Hawaii are now slated to begin at 4 p.m.

2009 Lady Techster Soccer Schedule
Date Day Opponent Location Time
Aug. 21 Fri. Lamar RUSTON 5 p.m.
Aug. 28 Fri. Grambling State RUSTON 5 p.m.
Aug. 30 Sun. Arkansas State Jonesboro, Ark. 1 p.m.
Sept. 2 Wed. Prairie View A&M RUSTON 5 p.m.
Sept. 4 Fri. Nicholls State Thibodaux, La. 4 p.m.
Sept. 6 Sun. Southern RUSTON 1 p.m.
Sept. 11 Fri. Centenary RUSTON 5 p.m.
Sept. 13 Sun. Delta State RUSTON 3 p.m.
Sept. 18 Fri. Mississippi Valley St. Itta Bena, Miss. 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 Sun. UALR RUSTON 1 p.m.
Sept. 25 Fri. Sam Houston Huntsville, Texas 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 Sun. Houston Baptist RUSTON 1 p.m.
Oct. 2 Fri. *Idaho RUSTON 4 p.m.
Oct. 4 Sun. *Boise State RUSTON 1 p.m.
Oct. 9 Fri. *San Jose State San Jose, Calif. 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 Sun. *Fresno State Fresno, Calif. 4 p.m.
Oct. 16 Fri. *Hawaii RUSTON 4 p.m.
Oct. 23 Fri. *New Mexico State RUSTON 4 p.m.
Oct. 30 Fri. *Utah State Logan, Utah 4 p.m.
Nov. 1 Sun. *Nevada Reno, Nev. 3 p.m.
Nov. 5-8 Thurs.-Sun. WAC Tournament Boise, Idaho TBA