PITTSBURGH -- It's gameday for Point Park University women's soccer! The Pioneers open up their 2018 season at home versus NAIA No. 1-ranked and defending NAIA national champ Spring Arbor (Mich.). Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium with a reserve matchup between the schools preceeding at 4 p.m.

AT A GLANCE:

It is the fifth year in a row that the non-conference opponents are meeting. The Pioneers are an NAIA national tournament qualifier two out of the last three years, and SAU is a two-time NAIA national champ during that time span. The Cougars won the national title in 2015 & 2017. Point Park visited SAU last year and lost, 3-0, to the eventual national champs.

POINT PARK NOTES:

The Pioneers have been a top team in the River States Conference last three years bringing home RSC titles in 2015 & 2016. The upperclassmen — which includes 10 juniors and 8 seniors — look to get back to the top of the standings after a record of 8-8-2, 5-3-1 RSC last year. Point Park has 7 of 11 starters returning and also gets back a couple of players who sat out last year but started in 2016. There are 10 incoming recruits that figure to make an impact, including a group of 8 freshmen.

#1 SPRING ARBOR NOTES

The Cougars are the defending NAIA champs and the NAIA preseason No. 1-ranked team. SAU was 24-1-1 last year and is 4-0 all-time versus PPU (since 2014). Their third trip to Highmark Stadium brings Bethany Balcer as the top player, a multi-time NAIA Player of the Year. The Cougars are 1-0 on the year.

TONIGHT'S GAME:

Mathup: Spring Arbor Cougars (1-0, 0-0 WHAC) at Point Park Pioneers (8-8-2, 5-3-1 RSC in '17)

When: Sat., Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.

Where: Highmark Stadium

Admission: Free

Team Info: Game Notes (PDF)

Video: Point Park Sports Network

Social Media: @PointParkSports (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)