JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps women's soccer team will begin the 2016 action at home when they host the Delta State Statesmen on Thursday, Sept. 1.
 
The Majors have trained for weeks and are looking to improve on last years 3-15-1 record. Returning eight of the 11 starters from 2015, Millsaps is fielding a more experienced team than previous seasons.

"I am very excited for the start of the season," said head coach Sarah Arsenault. "We have a solid group of returners and a strong freshmen class that have worked hard throughout the preseason and are showing an incredible amount of potential."
 
Back to guard the Major goal, Olivia Gattuso played in 16 games with 80 saves and 48 goals allowed. Now a junior, the Millsaps women's soccer team will be looking for her to step up in a big way.
 
Mary Kathyrn Lawrence, middle fielder from Pascagoula, Miss., and Ellie Dennis, defender from Pensacola, FL, are the  only two seniors on the team. Lawrence has played in a total of 34 games during her three-year college career and Dennis has played in 45 games. Their teammates will be looking to them for leadership on and off the field.
 
Delta State ended the 2015 season 3-13-1.  The Statesmen are returning nine starters.
 
The last time the two team met was during the 2015 season on the Delta State home field. The Statesman used their home field advantage to bring down the Majors 6-1.

"Our first match against Delta State will be a good test for us," said Aresenault. "We have grown tremendosly as a team and I believe this season will be a positive reflection of the growth of our Millsaps Women's Soccer program."
 
Kick-off for Thursday's game is set for 3 p.m. on Harper-Davis Field located on the campus of Millsaps College.
 
Follow Major women's soccer and the rest of Millsaps Athletics on Facebook at Millsaps Majors Athletics, on Twitter @MajorAthletics, and on Instagram @GoMajors. Show your support for your favorite team by using the GoMajors and MajorPlay hashtags.