CLEVELAND- The Delta State University Statesmen soccer team travels to Harrogate, Tenn., this Thursday for the season opener of the 2008 campaign against second ranked Lincoln Memorial University.
 
After spending most of the preseason indoors due to extreme weather conditions and heavy rain, the players are eager to get out on the field and shake off any rust from the summer.
               
“It was frustrating not to be able to take the guys outside on some days due to the weather,” head coach Jim Allen said. “We took advantage of our time inside to work on some of the basics and fundamentals that we're going to need to live up to our expectations this season.”
               
The Statesmen need to win early on this season in order to have success down the stretch as they open up the season with a four game road trip with stops in Harrogate; Longview, Texas, and Springfield, Ill.
               
Lincoln Memorial will be one of the toughest opponents the Statesmen face this season. The second ranked Railsplitters lost in the national title game last season, 1-0, to Franklin Pierce and were voted to win the South Atlantic Conference this season after taking the title in 2007.
               
“It's not going to be an easy task to pick up a win against the second best team in the country. I was pleased with the hard work that the guys have put in the last week or so to prepare for this game, but we have nothing to lose, we just have to go out and play our game.”
               
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.