The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Soccer Continues Preseason with Oklahoma Exhibition
8/19/2004 | Soccer
Aug. 19, 2004
OXFORD, Miss. - With the season opener a week away, the Ole Miss soccer team continues its preparation for the 2004 campaign Saturday with an exhibition match against Oklahoma at Burns Park Soccer Complex in Little Rock, Ark. Game time is noon CT. The Rebels, who are aiming at a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, have been in training since opening camp on Aug. 11. Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman said his troops are ready for this weekend's challenge. "This will be our final tune-up, and I think we're prepared for it," said Holeman, whose program spent five weeks in the top-25 rankings a year ago. "It's going to be great for us to face some outside competition. It will be a nice test to see where we stand at this point." Oklahoma was also an NCAA Tournament club in 2003, as the Sooners posted an 8-7-5 record en route to their first trip to the Big Dance. Nine starters return from that team, including a pair of All-Big 12 picks in Lauren MacIver and Erin Young. "Oklahoma is a very competitive team," Holeman said. "They are talented and can exploit any weaknesses we might have." Ole Miss, who turned in a 15-6-2 mark last year, opens the 2004 season at home Aug. 27 against Northwestern State. The match is set for 7 p.m. CT at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium.
