Aug. 6, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. -

The Kansas soccer team begins its quest for a second-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament Thursday when the team reports to campus for pre-season meetings. The Jayhawks will hold their first practices of the 2009 season Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Kansas Head Coach Mark Francis, now in his 11^th season with the Jayhawks, welcomes back 20 letterwinners and nine starters from last year’s squad, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Those returning student-athletes will be joined by an eight-member freshman class.

The team will receive equipment and hold informational meetings, as well as take individual pictures Thursday, before hitting the field for two-a-day practices on Friday.

“With the experience we return, and the freshman class we bring in, this will be one of the strongest squads we’ve ever had at Kansas,” Francis said. “We’re very excited to get the season underway.”

Francis’ team returns eight field players from last season, including all-region selections Estelle Johnson and Monica Dolinsky, as well as Freshman All-American Emily Cressy. KU finished 13-8-2 overall in 2008, and produced 45 goals; the second-highest total in team history.

The Jayhawks will open the 2009 season at Drake on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. in Des Moines.