Men’s soccer Lions to join Southwest Soccer Conference

March 26, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southern joins four from Lone Star, three from Heartland in new league

Missouri Southern has played 84 consecutive non-conference men’s soccer games, but that streak will end at 86 straight in 2004.

Head men’s soccer coach Kiley Cirillo today announced the program’s schedule for the 2004 season. For the first time since 1998, that schedule includes 14 conference games for the Lions.

Missouri Southern has joined the newly-formed Southwest Soccer Conference, which will include the four men’s soccer-playing schools from the Lone Star Conference and three more from the Heartland Conference.

“We’re very excited at the opportunity to play in what I think will be one of the toughest Division II conferences in the nation,” Cirillo said. “It’s a chance for us to expand the program and our horizons. It gives us more goals and a more realistic chance to get into the NCAA tournament in the future.”

Southern joins Lone Star schools Midwestern State (Texas), West Texas A&M, Northeastern State and the fledgling Eastern New Mexico program in the SWSC. From the Heartland, Texas schools St. Edwards, St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word will also become members of the new league.

Last year, Incarnate Word finished with a No. 10 national-ranking with Midwestern State 11th and NSU 24th. MSU also advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinal round, where it bowed out to eventual national runner-up Chico State (Calif.). St. Edward’s and West Texas A&M ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Midwest Region, behind Incarnate Word (first), Midwestern State (second) and Northeastern State (third).

The Lions will also join the Midwest Region, moving over from the Central.

Southern kicks off its 2004 schedule on Sept. 1 with a non-conference clash against Missouri Valley. The first SWSC game involving the Lions is set for Sept. 10 at Midwestern State. Southern’s first conference home affair is slated for Sept. 17 against Incarnate Word.

Capping off the regular season schedule is the Southwest Soccer Conference Tournament, to be played Nov. 4-6 at a location to be announced. The top four teams at the conclusion of conference play will advance to the league tourney.

MSSU’s men’s soccer team had been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, but has been an independent since the MIAA dropped men’s soccer following the 1998 campaign.


	March 26, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Men’s soccer Lions to join Southwest Soccer Conference Southern joins four from Lone Star, three from Heartland in new league Missouri Southern has played 84 consecutive non-conference men’s soccer games, but that streak will end at 86 straight in 2004. Head men’s soccer coach Kiley Cirillo today announced the program’s schedule for the 2004 season. For the first time since 1998, that schedule includes 14 conference games for the Lions. Missouri Southern has joined the newly-formed Southwest Soccer Conference, which will include the four men’s soccer-playing schools from the Lone Star Conference and three more from the Heartland Conference. “We’re very excited at the opportunity to play in what I think will be one of the toughest Division II conferences in the nation,” Cirillo said. “It’s a chance for us to expand the program and our horizons. It gives us more goals and a more realistic chance to get into the NCAA tournament in the future.” Southern joins Lone Star schools Midwestern State (Texas), West Texas A&M, Northeastern State and the fledgling Eastern New Mexico program in the SWSC. From the Heartland, Texas schools St. Edwards, St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word will also become members of the new league. Last year, Incarnate Word finished with a No. 10 national-ranking with Midwestern State 11th and NSU 24th. MSU also advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinal round, where it bowed out to eventual national runner-up Chico State (Calif.). St. Edward’s and West Texas A&M ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Midwest Region, behind Incarnate Word (first), Midwestern State (second) and Northeastern State (third). The Lions will also join the Midwest Region, moving over from the Central. Southern kicks off its 2004 schedule on Sept. 1 with a non-conference clash against Missouri Valley. The first SWSC game involving the Lions is set for Sept. 10 at Midwestern State. Southern’s first conference home affair is slated for Sept. 17 against Incarnate Word. Capping off the regular season schedule is the Southwest Soccer Conference Tournament, to be played Nov. 4-6 at a location to be announced. The top four teams at the conclusion of conference play will advance to the league tourney. MSSU’s men’s soccer team had been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, but has been an independent since the MIAA dropped men’s soccer following the 1998 campaign.