The wait before playing one of its toughest opponents of the season won't be long for the Ball State University soccer team.
The Cardinals released their 2009 schedule Tuesday morning and will play their season opener against a NCAA Tournament team.
Ball State's will open its season with a game against the University of Miami (Fla.) on Aug. 28 in Coral Gables, Fla. The Hurricanes finished the last season in the RPI top 100 and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after receiving an at-large bid.
The Cardinals will have two more non-conference games against teams that finished last season in the RPI top 100.
Ball State will play Purdue University, which advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals last season, on Sept. 7 in West Lafayette. This will be the first time the two teams have played since the Cardinals defeated the then-No. 19 Boilermakers in 2003.
For the second consecutive season, Ball State will play Dayton with the game Sept. 11 in Dayton, Ohio. The Flyers defeated the Cardinals 2-0 last season at the BSU Soccer Field.
More than two weeks after starting its season, Ball State's first home game will be against Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville on Sept. 13. Of the Cardinals 18 regular season games, they will have six home games.
The Cardinals will open its 11-game Mid-American Conference season with a road game against Kent State University on Sept. 25.
Ball State finished the 2008 season 9-10-1 and lost to Central Michigan University in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Ball State's 2009 scheduleAug. 17 at Xaiver (Exhibition)Aug. 28 at Miami (Fla.)Aug. 30 at Florida AtlanticSept. 3 vs. Valparaiso*Sept. 7 at PurdueSept. 11 at DaytonSept. 13 vs. SIU-EdwardsvilleSept. 18 vs. LipscombSept. 25 at Kent StateSept. 27 at BuffaloOct. 2 vs. Bowling GreenOct. 4 vs. ToledoOct. 9 at Central MichiganOct. 11 at Eastern MichiganOct. 16 at OhioOct. 18 at AkronOct. 23 vs. Northern IllinoisOct. 25 vs. Western MichiganOct. 29 at Miami
*Neutral site game at Purdue University
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