Thursday, June 03, 2004

Valparaiso University's men's soccer team will play four of its first five matches at home as the Crusaders released their 2004 schedule on Thursday.

Head coach Mis' Mrak's squad will open the campaign at Eastgate Field on September 1 at 5 p.m. against Oregon State, the first of eight home matches scheduled for the season. Four of Valpo's first five contests will take place at Eastgate, including the Mid-Continent Conference opener on September 10 against Oral Roberts. Conference foes IUPUI and Oakland will also visit Valparaiso this season, with the latter marking the final match of the regular season on November 7.

Valpo will also entertain non-conference opponents St. Joseph's (Ind.), Butler, Detroit, and Ohio State. The Crusaders road slate includes a trip to Michigan State in early November. The 2004 Mid-Continent Conference Tournament will take place on November 12 and 14 in Macomb, Ill., as it will be hosted by Western Illinois this year.

Prior to the start of the regular season, the Crusaders will play a pair of exhibition games. On August 25, the Crusaders will host Western Michigan at 5 p.m. before traveling to Loyola (Ill.) on August 27.

The Crusaders are looking to improve upon their sixth place finish in the league with a 1-5 record along with building upon their 2-13-2 overall mark.