Southeast Missouri State soccer team debuts tonight with exhibition game

The Southeast Missouri State soccer team doesn't open the season until Aug. 23 at Nebraska.

But the Redhawks will have three opportunities to test themselves against outside competition before games begin to count on their record.

Southeast hosts three exhibitions at Houck Stadium this week, beginning today at 6:30 p.m. against Saint Louis University.

The Redhawks then face Lipscomb on Friday and Missouri S&T on Saturday, those contests also kicking off at 6:30 p.m.

Southeast opened preseason camp Wednesday, breaking in eight freshmen and 10 newcomers to its 25-player roster.

The Redhawks return six starters and 14 letterwinners from a 2012 squad that reached the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the third straight season.

Southeast went 7-10-4 overall a year ago and finished fourth in the 11-team OVC at 5-3-2.

Saint Louis went 5-9-4 overall last season and finished 12th in the 16-team Atlantic 10 Conference with a 3-4-2 league record. The Billikens return 18 players, including eight starters.

Southeast and SLU have met during the regular season each of the last two years, both 0-0 ties.

Lipscomb is coming off a 2-11-4 season that featured an 0-7-2 Atlantic Sun Conference mark. Southeast is 3-0 all-time against Lipscomb, though the programs have not met in the regular season since 2002.

Missouri S&T went 6-11 overall and 4-11 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference last year. The Redhawks and Miners never have met during the regular season.