Soccer: OU begins schedule Aug. 15.

The women’s soccer season for Oklahoma and first-year head coach Nicole Nelson kicks off on Friday, August 22 at Colorado College.

OU will host Stephen F. Austin on Aug. 15 in the only exhibition game on the schedule.

The 19-game slate is highlighted by 10 contests at the Sooners’ home John Crain Field at the OU Soccer Complex, including the Ford Bedlam Series on Oct. 31 against Oklahoma State.

“We couldn’t be more excited about getting started,” Nelson said. “We have put all the time into all the other areas of this program first, but now we are ready to start playing some soccer. As coaches, what we enjoy most is developing these players and preparing them for competition on the field.”

Following the season opener on the road, the Sooners return to Norman to host Central Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29 at the OU Soccer Complex. OU will host another Mid American Conference opponent that weekend on Aug. 31 with Ball State in town.

In preparation for the rigorous play in the Big 12 Conference, OU will also host Rice, Louisiana State and Oregon and travel to North Texas, Memphis and Mississippi in non-conference action.

“A good non-conference schedule should prepare your team for the high level of competition in the Big 12 Conference,” Nelson said. “We believe these opponents will do just that.”

The conference slate kicks off on Friday, Sept. 26 at Colorado and the Sooners will complete the weekend on Sept. 28 in Lubbock, Texas against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. OU’s Big 12 road schedule also includes Texas A&M, Texas and Baylor.

Oklahoma opens the home portion of the Big 12 schedule against Missouri on Friday, Oct. 10 and the weekend concludes with the Kansas Jayhawks on Oct. 12.