Aug. 23, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - - The Southern Miss soccer team will officially open the 2008-09 Golden Eagle athletic season with the first contest of the year Sunday afternoon at South Alabama.

Head Coach Scott Ebke will make his collegiate coaching debut as the Lady Eagles Travel to Mobile, Ala. to open their season.

"We had a great fall camp," Ebke said after Saturday morning's kick around. "The players competed at a very high level and did everything we asked of them."

Ebke and assistant coach Jennie Altheer arrived in Hattiesburg just weeks before the team reported in August to begin preparations for the 2008 season, but Ebke feels the team had a successful preseason.

"We defiantly got what we wanted out of preseason," Ebke added. "The team was extremely focused and adjusted to the new system and coaching philosophies very well."

Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. in Mobile if weather permits as the Gulf Coast prepares for the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay. South Alabama (0-1) is coming off a 2-0 season opening loss at LSU Friday evening.

"We are really excited to play some one besides ourselves right now," Ebke said. "South Alabama is a strong opponent that should be very well organized and well coached. We will have to play our `A' game to come away with a victory."

As Tropical Storm Fay approaches, officials are monitoring the weather situation with the top concern being for the safety of the teams and spectators. Stay tuned to Southernmiss.com for complete updates.

-southernmiss.com-