WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The SWOSU Soccer team is kicking off their 2019 season on Thursday in Warrensburg, Mo., where they will play No. 7-ranked Central Missouri at 3:00 pm. The Bulldogs will close out opening weekend two days later with a trip to Edmond to face in-state rival Oklahoma Christian.
 
SWOSU was voted second in the GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, which matches the Bulldogs finish from last season. SWOSU went 10-2 in conference play and finished with an overall record of 13-5-1 following an overtime loss to Oklahoma Baptist in the conference tournament championship match. The Bulldogs return one all-conference selection from last season in forward Sandra Nabaweteme, who was named Second Team All-Central Region and First Team All-GAC for the second year in a row.
 
Central Missouri enters the season ranked No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll and they're the highest-ranked MIAA team in the poll. The Jennies are ranked second in the MIAA preseason poll behind Central Oklahoma, the 2018 conference champions. UCM head coach Lewis Theobald is a nine-time MIAA Coach of the Year and five-time Central Region Coach of the Year, and he was named the National Coach of the Year in 2017 after leading the Jennies to the NCAA Division II National Championship.
 
Oklahoma Christian sports a very youthful roster with 15 players who are new to the soccer program this year. Third-year Head Coach Megan Anderson leads OC into their first year in the new Lone Star Conference, where they are picked to finish 14th this season.
 
Live coverage links to each match are available at SWOSUAthletics.com and live updates will also be posted on the @SWOSUSoccer Twitter account.