SIUE Women’s Soccer Gets Set For Home Opener
         EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. -- As the SIUE women’s soccer team prepares for their season opener against Missouri Southern on Friday night, head coach Lynda Bowers believes that her team’s preparation in the preseason will more than have them ready to take on the Lions.
         “We accomplished what we set out to with overall team building and developing a better team chemistry,” said Bowers. “We had our team spend every waking moment together for two weeks. Missouri Southern is an up and coming team and we can’t look past them.”
         Following that contest, SIUE takes on regional rival seventh-ranked Ashland on Sunday afternoon at Korte Stadium. The Cougars have defeated the Eagles the last three seasons.
         “It seems like every year it’s a good game (with Ashland),” said Bowers. “We have had their number the last couple of years fortunately. It will be a tough game.”
         With seven returning starters and a fresh crop of new freshmen, the Cougars can rely on a deep bench this season.
         Two newcomers who have stepped up in the preseason have been freshmen Kelly Limpert (St. Charles, Mo.) and Jennifer Kratzer (O’Fallon, Mo.).
         Kelly is really quick, quicker than any girl I have seen in a while,” said Bowers. “(Jennifer) is definitely a gamer. She really steps up in matches, and I think she was really our biggest surprise this preseason.”
         Friday’s contest with Missouri Southern kicks off at 7 p.m. The game with Ashland is set for Sunday at noon with both games at Korte Stadium.
                  -siue cougars-