The University of Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Hosts Ole Miss Nike Invitational This Weekend
8/28/2009 | Soccer
OXFORD, Miss. - Steve Holeman's Rebels make their 2009 home debut this weekend when they host the Ole Miss Nike Invitational on Friday and Sunday at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium.
The four-team field also includes Mississippi State, Morehead State and Jackson State. The Rebels will face Morehead State at 7 p.m. on Friday and Jackson State at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The other games are Mississippi State vs. Jackson State (4 p.m. Friday) and Mississippi State vs. Morehead State (10:30 a.m. Sunday).
Friday's Rebel match features the "Kroger Family Welcome Party." There will be complimentary hot dogs for all fans. On Sunday, all fans are invited to kick off the season with complimentary pizza from Papa John's. At halftime, fans can try to score a goal on "Mr. Slice" from Papa John's.
All 2009 home soccer matches will offer free admission.
Ole Miss opened the 2009 season this past Sunday on the road and took a 1-0 loss to UAB on a late goal by the Blazers. The Rebels look to bounce back against a pair of opponents they have never faced in Morehead State and Jackson State.
"We are excited to be at home in front of our fans," Holeman said. "It's been a while since we hosted a tournament. It's going to be great competition and a great atmosphere, so we hope to get a lot of people out here. Sunday was obviously not the start we were looking for, but our girls have trained really hard this week and are motivated to get a couple of good results. We are looking forward to getting some goals in the back of the net."
The Rebels, who play eight of their next 12 matches at home, will once again be without the services of senior forward Hannah Weatherly, who is out with a hamstring injury. However, history is on the team's side. The program boasts a 72-30-11 all-time record at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium and is 11-2-1 in home openers.
The Eagles of Morehead State, who advanced to last year's NCAA Tournament after capturing the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament crown, come into the weekend with a 1-1 record after securing a season-opening 2-1 overtime win over Valparaiso and dropping a 4-2 decision to Georgia State. The Jackson State Tigers, who won the 2008 SWAC eastern division title, fell by a 3-0 score in their season opener against Northwestern State (La.). Mississippi State opens its season this weekend in Oxford.
