Temple University Athletics
Early Season Trips to Arizona and Oklahoma Highlight 2007 Softball Schedule
11.30.06 | Softball
Nov. 30, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple softball team, coming off a 22-23 overall campaign in 2006, has announced its 2007 schedule, which includes two early-season road trips to the University of Arizona and Oklahoma University. After opening the season playing away from the Ambler Sports Complex in 22 of their first 24 contests, second-year head coach Casey Dickson and the Cherry and White return home for a 14-game homestand from April 11 - 25.
In kicking off the 2007 slate, the Owls will be one of four teams (Middle Tennessee State, Texas Tech and Virginia) given the opportunity to knock off the defending National Champion Arizona Wildcats, for the first time in program history, in the Worth Wildcat Tournament, in Tucson, Ariz. from February 16th - 18th. The Wildcats, posted a 54-11 overall mark in 2006 and captured their fifth National Championship since 1997.
Following a two-week lay-off, the OU Residence Inn Invitational, held in Norman Okla. from March 3 - 4, will mark the homecoming for Dickson, who enjoyed a standout career as a Sooner from 1997-2000. Oklahoma, coming off their 13th consecutive 40-win season and seventh straight appearance in the NCAA Regionals, will play host to the Owls twice over the two-day invitational.
"We are very excited to be playing several highly-ranked teams in our first two tournaments," said Dickson. "Also, with so many of our girls hailing from the West Coast, this gives their families the opportunity to see us compete."
Temple, looking to build off last season's 12-6 mark in Atlantic 10 play, will host Charlotte (3/25), Dayton (4/15), Saint Joseph's (4/18), Massachusetts (4/20 & 4/21) and Rhode Island (4/22). The Owls will play away from home against La Salle (3/30 & 3/31), Fordham (4/5 & 4/6), George Washington (4/7) and Saint Louis (4/28) in hopes of returning to the post-season tournament for the first time since 2004.
In addition to the Stetson Tournament, in DeLand, Fla. from March 9 - 11, the Cherry and White will play host to non-conference opponents Wagner (4/11), St. Francis (PA) (4/12) and Rider (4/25) while taking to the road against cross-town rivals Penn (4/4) and Villanova (5/1).
