Aug. 27, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The sixth-ranked Texas A&M soccer team kicked off the 2009 season with a bang and looks to continue its success when it plays host to Purdue at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
In their season opener, the Aggies (1-0-0) blanked No. 8 USC, 3-0, as six different A&M players helped contribute to the scoring and A&M tallied 25 shots, including 14 shots on goal. Freshman Mary Grace Schmidt picked up Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors after scoring the game-winning goal against the Trojans.
Purdue (2-0-0) enters Friday's match having outscored its opponents 7-1 in the opening weekend. The Boilermakers are receiving votes in the top 25 polls and have already seen three goals from the Big 10 Offensive Player of the Week, Jessica Okoroafo.
In the two team's first meeting on Friday, the gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and fans are encouraged to arrive early in anticipation of the projected capacity crowd.
Fans can follow all the action of Friday's match with free live video, audio and live stats on AggieAthletics.com.
Parking is free and is available in the Reed Arena parking lots. For added convenience, there are now two entrances on the north end of the stadium.
PROMOTIONS
Friday – Fish Camp night at the Aggie Soccer Stadium is this Friday. When students wear their fish camp T-shirt, they will receive free admission.
Sunday – This Sunday and every Sunday at the Aggie Soccer Stadium kids get in free! For every adult ticket purchased, up to four youths will receive free admission. In addition, following Sunday's UTSA match, there will be an autograph session with the entire Aggie soccer team.
LISTEN TO THE GAME AT THE STADIUM
Fans bring your radio to Saturday's game and listen to play-by-play announcer David Ellis call all the action live on 88.1 FM through an in-stadium FM transmitter.
TICKETS
Tickets to all A&M home matches are available for purchase online at tickets.12thmanfoundation.com or by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE.
SCOUTING PURDUE
Purdue (2-0-0) enters Friday's match having outscored its opponents 7-1 in the opening weekend – 5-0 over Ohio and 2-1 at Butler. The team is averaging 15.5 shots per game and 3.5 goals per game. The Boilermakers are receiving votes in the top 25 polls and were picked to finish fourth (behind Penn State, Michigan State and Illinois) in the Big Ten Conference. Senior co-captain and the reigning Big 10 Offensive Player of the Week, Jessica Okoroafo, produced the majority of Purdue's offense with three goals and one assist after two games. Katie Seeger also adds two goals. The Boilermaker defense held its opponents to six shots in two matches. Head coach Robert Klatte is in his 12th year at the helm of the program.
SCOUTING UTSA
UTSA (1-1-0) takes on TCU in Fort Worth on Friday before traveling to College Station on Sunday for a 1:30 p.m. match. In the second meeting between the two teams, the Roadrunners look to even the score after a 7-0 loss to A&M at the Aggie Soccer Stadium in 2006. UTSA averages 9.5 shots per game and one goal per game. Both Halee Hamm and Jenny Munoz found the back of the net to account for the team's two goals. The two scores came in a double-overtime win at Houston last Sunday. Steve Ballard enters his fourth year as head coach of the Roadrunners.
THE LAST TIME OUT
In its season opener last Saturday, the Aggie soccer team held No. 8 USC scoreless with a 3-0 win at the Aggie Soccer Stadium. Goals from three different players, Mary Grace Schmidt, junior Cydne Currie, Emily Peterson, and redshirt juniors, Kristin Arnold (captain) and Nicole Ketchum (captain). The team returns nine starters and has eight talented newcomers.
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
In preparing to win its 11th Big 12 title, A&M will face one of America's toughest non-conference schedules. The Aggies eight-game slate will pit them against four teams that advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2008, three of which advanced to the Sweet 16, two that moved on to the Elite Eight, and the defending national champion, No. 1 UNC.