DES MOINES, IOWA - The Drake women's soccer team has announced a 19-game 2009 schedule which includes three matches against teams that played in the NCAA tournament last season.

The Bulldogs open the season at North Dakota State Aug. 21, before returning home to face NCAA tournament qualifier Kansas Aug. 23.

Next up is the Colorado College Invitational in Colorado Springs where Drake will face host Colorado College Aug. 28, as well as Big East Conference opponent Syracuse Aug. 30.

“We have some tough games in August that will test our team right away and our results will be highly influenced by our team's summer efforts,” said second-year Drake head coach Lindsey Horner.

The Bulldogs are home for a contest against DePaul Sept. 6 and then have a three-game road stand at NCAA qualifier South Dakota State Sept. 11, South Dakota Sept. 13 and Western Illinois Sept. 17.

Drake hosts in-state rival Iowa State Sept. 20 and travels to Missouri-Kansas City Sept. 24, before opening Missouri Valley Conference play at Evansville Sept. 27.

“Eight of our first eleven games are on the road, which will provide an opportunity for our seniors to step up and lead our team,” added Horner.

A three-game homestand follows with contests against Iowa Sept. 30, North Dakota Oct. 4 and MVC opponent Northern Iowa Oct. 8.

The final non-conference game of the season is Oct. 11 at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

“Playing teams from the Big Ten, Big XII and Big East conferences will challenge us but I also believe this will prepare us for our conference season,” commented Horner.

The final four games of the season are MVC match-ups at home against Creighton Oct. 15 and Indiana State Oct. 29 and on the road at Missouri State Oct. 18 and Illinois State Oct. 25.

The play-in round of the MVC tournament is Sunday Nov. 1 at the site of the higher seed. The semifinals and finals are Nov. 6 and 8 at Creighton.