Three years ago, the University of Evansville soccer team took on the MLS Kansas City Wizards, and battled a team from the top ranked professional league in the United States to a 2-2 draw. The Purple Aces get another chance to play the pros on Saturday, April 3, when they meet the Wizards at Anheuser Busch Soccer Park in St. Louis. The 5:00 p.m. friendly against K.C.'s split squad will highlight the six-match spring season for the Aces. Coached by former Olympian and U.S. National Team player Peter Vermes, Kansas City begins its MLS season March 27 against DC United and then takes a two-week break before hosting Colorado April 10.

"We are committed to giving our guys the opportunity to pit themselves against the best level of competition available," says UE Head Coach Mike Jacobs. "For aspiring professionals on our team, the best way is to play against the standard, which is Major League Soccer."

One player still around in 2010 who played for the Aces in their first match against the Wizards is redshirt junior Tom Irvin. His throw-in led to a goal by Dan Gibson that put the Aces up 1-0 in the 41st minute. Cory Elenio, now with the MLS Columbus Crew, made it 2-0 before Kansas City rallied to tie the match 2-2. Evansville has already played one match this month, defeating Lipscomb 3-0 March 4. The remainder of the spring schedule includes Bellarmine this Saturday at 12 noon at Black Beauty Field, IPFW at home March 28 at 2:00, and a doubleheader April 17 at Lexington, Ky. against Marshall and Kentucky.

Jacobs has nine starters and eight other letterwinners returning from a squad that posted a 12-8-1 record and reached the finals of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in November.

"This spring is a little different for us because we have so many veteran players," according to Jacobs. "As opposed to 'who' will play for us, it's more about 'how' our team plays."