UTB/TSC will begin defense of its 2009 Red River Athletic Conference women's soccer championship with at home August 27 when the Scorpions open a 18-game 2010 season at REK Center Field against William Carey University (Miss.), the fifth-ranked team in the NAIA in 2009.

The Scorpions will have seven home games and 11 road games. The first nine games are non-conference contests, starting with two at home and seven straight on the road. UTB/TSC finishes the regular season with nine conference games, five at home. Full Schedule

In 2009, the Scorpions advanced to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, where they lost to Southern Nazarene University (Okla.).

"To get back to the national tournament and beyond, we have tried to put together a tough non-conference schedule with one of the best opponents at the beginning," Scorpion head coach  Nik Barjaktarevic said. "We know that we have to win the conference tournament to qualify for nationals and it will not be an easy task."

William Carey University advanced to the NAIA National Tournament finals site, and lost in the round of the Sweet 16. The Lady Crusaders finished the season with a 20-2-1 record.

The Scorpions will play two home on Opening Day weekend, hosting women's soccer newcomer University of Houston-Victoria on August 29.

The nine non-conference games feature one opponent from NCAA Division I (Lamar University), two opponents from NCAA Division II (Incarnate Word University and Texas A&M International University), and one opponent from NCAA Division III (Concordia University-Texas).

The nine-game conference schedule begins October 2. Louisiana State University-Shreveport joins the RRAC this season.

"Our conference play will be harder than ever, especially with LSU-Shreveport coming into the conference this year," Barjaktarevic said. "The rest of our opponents are getting progressively better. Our games with Our Lady of the Lake, Texas Wesleyan, Texas College and Northwood are always fun and exciting. We have developed some great rivalries in our conference."

UTB/TSC will be hosting the RRAC Women's Soccer Tournament for the first time, on Nov. 4-6. 

Prior to the start of the regular season, the Scorpions will play three scrimmages at REK Center Field, starting with the Orange and White intrasquad game Aug. 14. The Scorpions will host Tec de Monterrey August 20, and TAMIU August 22.

High school and club coaches interested in complimentary tickets for home games can contact Barjaktarevic at nikola.barjaktarevic@utb.edu or by calling 882-7385.