Ole Miss Opens NCAA Tournament with Texas

Nov. 13, 2003

Gainesville Regional Website | Ole Miss Team Notes

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Making its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the Ole Miss soccer team opens The Big Dance with Texas, Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET at Percy Beard Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

The four-team regional also features host Florida against UCF in the other first-round match. The two winners will face off Sunday with a Sweet 16 appearance up for grabs.

"We're not just excited to be in the Tournament, we're playing to advance," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "With their forwards, Texas is probably the most talented team we've faced this year. They have the talent to be in the Final Four. I expect our team to play with confidence and be prepared for this great challenge that lies ahead of us."

The Rebels are enjoying one of the finest seasons in the program's nine-year history. Ole Miss finished second in the SEC West standings and top four in the conference overall for the second straight year. The Rebels have tied their highest regular-season win total with 14 and boast their best single-season win percentage (.714).

Ole Miss, which is coming off its third SEC Tournament semifinal finish in five years, also has another milestone in sight. The Rebels enter the NCAAs one victory away from the program's 100th.

Texas reached its highest ranking of the year in the preseason at No. 9, and is currently receiving votes in the NSCAA and Soccer Times polls. Chris Petrucelli's Longhorns posted a 12-8 mark this season with victories over No. 6 Texas A&M, No. 20 Clemson and No. 22 Nebraska. Texas is paced offensively by junior forward Kelly McDonald and her team-high 14 goals.

UT is making its third NCAA appearance and has yet to win a Tournament match.

Last year, the Rebels earned the program's first NCAA Tournament berth, and the first by a Division I school from Mississippi. At the Tallahassee regional, Ole Miss fell to host Florida State, 2-0, in the first round, despite a 16-12 Rebel shot advantage.

The Rebels have never faced the Longhorns but are riding an impressive eight-game win streak against Big 12 foes. Ole Miss is 10-3 all-time against the conference, including a 2-1 overtime win over then-No. 25 Missouri earlier this season.

Internet coverage of the Gainesville regional will be available at gatorzone.com.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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