Aug. 6, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University soccer team officially ended its 2009 summer vacation on Thursday as the Bulldogs' 27 players reported to campus in preparation for the team's season-opening contest at home against the Auburn Tigers on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.

Eighth-year head coach Todd Yelton welcomed 21 returning letterwinners, 11 returning starters, 10 upperclassmen and six highly-touted incoming freshmen to Samford with a 2 p.m., check-in Thursday. The Bulldogs will begin their grueling practice schedule Friday with an 8 a.m., fitness test.

Samford, which is in the midst of its second season as a member of the prestigious Southern Conference, will hold two-a-day training sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Friday morning, the team will partake in an 8 a.m., fitness test, before undergoing an 11-v-11 training session in the afternoon.

The Bulldogs' 2009 fall schedule includes matches against Southeastern Conference opponents Alabama and Auburn, as well as tough non-conference road games at UAB, Belmont and Kennesaw State.

Samford kicks off its fall competition with an exhibition contest at Memphis on Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will then open its regular-season schedule at home versus Auburn on Aug. 23, before also playing host to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Aug. 28.

Samford's expectations are high for the 2009 campaign. The Bulldogs return all 11 starters from last year's team that turned in an 8-1-2 conference record and advanced to the semifinal round of the SoCon Tournament. Samford's talent-laden roster will also boast 10 additional returning players as well as six highly-touted incoming freshmen.

As they head into the 2009 season, the Bulldogs return 95 percent of their goal-scoring production and 83 percent of their assist production from a year ago.

2009 Samford Soccer Schedule