The University of Evansville men’s soccer team keeps getting stronger, and so does its schedule. Head Coach Mike Jacobs announced the 2008 schedule today, highlighted by Indiana University’s first return to UE’s McCutchan Stadium since 1998. In addition, the Aces’ schedule includes three of the last four NCAA Division I national champions--Indiana (2003, 2004), Maryland (2005) and Cal-Santa Barbara (2006). "Our 2008 schedule will be among the toughest in the country,” according to Coach Jacobs. “Playing against non-conference opposition of this caliber will best prepare us to compete in the always competitive Missouri Valley Conference, as well as to get us ready for the potential challenges of the NCAA Tournament." Coach Jacobs begins his third season as head coach, and has led Evansville to 9-8-0 and 10-9-1 records the past two seasons. The Aces climbed to third place in the Missouri Valley Conference last season, and eight Evansville players earned All-MVC honors. One of the few graduates from last season’s team is Cory Elenio, who was drafted recently by the MLS Columbus Crew. Evansville’s home match against Indiana University will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Indiana won its second straight NCAA Division I national championship in 2004. Evansville and I.U. resumed its longtime series last October at Bloomington, with the Hoosiers winning 2-1 in a very competitive game. The match at 2006 NCAA champion Cal-Santa Barbara takes place Sept. 21, and the match at 2005 NCAA champion Maryland takes place on Saturday, Oct. 18. All three of those recent national champions are expected to be among the nation’s best in 2008. Evansville’s second California opponent in the Aces’ trip to the west coast will be Cal Poly, which was ranked in the nation’s Top 25 last year. It was Cal-Santa Barbara that knocked off Duke University in the 2004 NCAA national semifinals. Coach Jacobs was an assistant coach at Duke at that time. With those four NCAA national powers plus Missouri Valley Conference rivals Creighton and Bradley, Evansville has six matches this fall against teams that were ranked in Soccer RPI’s Top 50. The Aces’ home schedule is a good one for local fans, with MVC opponents Missouri State, Bradley and Drake coming to Evansville. UE will also host the 21st ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic on Sept. 12 and 14, with Valparaiso, Bradley and North Florida making up the remainder of the field. Other non-conference opponents coming to town this season will be Butler on Sept. 7, Centenary on Sept. 26 and Lipscomb on Oct. 5. The Aces will host two pre-season matches in August, against the Univesity of Southern Indiana on Aug. 19 and Bellarmine on Aug. 23 or 24. Fans interested in more information regarding season tickets may contact the University of Evansville staff at 812-484-4345.