COLLEGE STATION -- The 5th-ranked Texas A&M soccer team is set to open regular season play on Friday when it takes on Dartmouth. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.

“We are all excited about the start to the new NCAA soccer season,” A&M head coach G Guerrieri said. “I think it’s going to be another wonderful gameday environment at the stadium and I know that our players are looking forward to playing in front of the 12th Man to begin the season.”

Dartmouth returns five starters and 15 letterwinners from their ’06 squad that went 12-4-1, finished second in the Ivy League, and was ranked as high as No. 13 (NSCAA). Four seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and seven freshmen make up the Big Green’s ’07 roster.

The Aggies return 11 starters and a total of 15 letterwinners from last year’s team that brought home its fifth Big 12 title in just three seasons. A&M served as the host for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament as well as the “Sweet Sixteen” before taking to the road for an “Elite Eight” match-up against eventual College Cup champion North Carolina.

The Aggies’ ‘07 roster holds the experience of eight seniors, three juniors and five sophomores. In addition to the returnees, the Aggies will receive immediate help from the addition of seven freshmen.

Anchoring Dartmouth’s attack will be senior forward and captain Monica Martin de Bustamante who led the team in scoring last season with five goals and 11 points. Fellow senior and co-captain Annie Stanley will play a critical role on a Big Green backline that allowed just 10 goals and posted 10 shutouts in 2006.

The Aggies will look to an experienced senior class including All-American forward Ashlee Pistorius who led A&M’s scoring with 15 goals and chipped in five assists.

Joining Pistorius will be co-captains midfielder Amy Berend, defender Paige Carmichael, and midfielder/forward Melissa Garey.

Berend, who tallied a career-high four goals and dished out five assists in ’06, and Carmichael, who was a mainstay in the Aggies' ‘06 lineup as a defensive midfielder, along with Pistorius and sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Arnold were selected to the preseason All-Big 12 team.

Friday’s match marks the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Fans that show their First Yell ticket at the soccer stadium front gate will be admitted free to match. Fans wanting to purchase tickets for the game can do so by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE.

Parking is available in lots designated 100g, 100j or 100k.