LITTLE ROCK - The UALR soccer team begins its 2012 campaign with an exhibition match at Lyon College on Monday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. The Trojans' trip to Batesville, Ark., will serve as their lone tune-up of the season before they play their first official match at Missouri State on Friday, Aug. 17.

UALR finished the 2011 season with a 7-13-0 overall record, including a 3-8-0 mark in league play. The Trojans lose seven seniors from last year's club, but return six starters, including four on the defensive side of the field. Defenders Jenna Brady, Kailie Holloway and Betsy Blackwood all played heavy minutes for the Trojans in 2011 and are expected to see similar roles in 2012. The UALR back line surrendered just 1.84 goals per game in 2011, a number that dropped to 1.63 per game in league play.

Last year's offense returns 50 percent of its goal scoring in 2012, including leading scorer Ariel Galletti, who totaled nine points on four goals and an assist. Sophomore Alyson Rohane netted two goals and led the team with four assists as a freshman. Juniors Holly Holland and Adrianna Queen each scored two goals while assisting on another in their sophomore campaigns.

The Trojans also welcome eight newcomers in 2012. Freshmen Ashley Asuncion, Galya Cohen, Taylor Hoover, Asia Kleinmeyer and Shantel Wittke are joined by transfer players Ashley Barksdale (Memphis), Natalie Marsh (Jamestown CC) and Paige Mason (Fresno City College). Wittke and Marsh both join the team as goalkeepers, and along with Barksdale and Kleinmeyer are expected to help improve and give depth to the Trojan defense. Asuncion, Cohen, Hoover and Mason will be asked to help upgrade an offense that scored 20 goals in 2011.

Lyon College ended its 2011 season with a 10-9-0 overall mark and finished fourth in the NAIA-affiliated TranSouth Athletic Conference. Second year head coach Ben Parman returns senior Melissa Sanchez (six goals) and sophomore Chandler Rae (six goals) from an offense that scored 49 goals in 19 games a season ago. The Scots were 6-3-0 when playing in Batesville last season.

The Trojans and the Scots with play their exhibition Monday at 3 p.m. UALR's first official weekend of action will kick off Friday, Aug. 17 at Missouri State before it returns home to play its first game in the new Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex against Austin Peay on Sunday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m.