STATE COLLEGE, Pa.- The Penn State women's soccer team will face three professional teams during its five-game spring exhibition season this month.

On Sunday, April 8, the Nittany Lions travel to New England to meet the Boston Renegades of the W-League. Kickoff is slated for Noon at Boston College.

On Wednesday, April 11, PSU takes on the WUSA's Philadelphia Charge at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa. Admission to the event is $5 and kicks off at 7 p.m.

The Nittany Lions travel to Long Island on Saturday, April 14 for a 5 p.m. game with the W-League's Lady Rough Riders at 5 p.m. at Hofstra University. Admission is free.

Penn State closes out the spring exhibition season with two home games. PSU hosts the Ontario Club Team at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18 on Lady Lion Field. The Nittany Lions then take on their own Alumni squad on Saturday, April 21 at Noon (prior to football's Blue-White game). Both home exhibitions are free to fans.

"These games provide good opportunities for our players to prepare for next year within our system of play and organization," said first-year head coach Paula Wilkins. "I think the professional teams will give us very good competition. The spring season is also used to give other players a look."

The Nittany Lions, who return two-time NSCAA first-team All-Americans Christie Welsh (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) and Emily Oleksiuk (Willow Grove, Pa.), open the 2001 regular season on Friday, August 31 at Notre Dame.

2001 PENN STATE WOMEN'S SOCCER SPRING EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

APRIL
Sun. 8 vs. Boston Renegades Noon at Boston College
Wed. 11 vs. Philadelphia Charge 7 p.m. at United Sports Training
Center (Downingtown, Pa.)
Sat. 14 vs. Long Island 5 p.m. at Hofstra University
(Hempstead, N.Y.)
Wed. 18 ONTARIO CLUB TEAM 4 p.m.
Sat. 21 PENN STATE ALUMNI Noon

Home events in BOLD CAPS
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Spring home games are played at Lady Lion Field, across the street from Jeffrey Field.