FANS INVITED TO GATHER AT HUMPHREY'S – Prior to Friday's game, the Saint Louis Department of Athletics invites all Billiken fans to a reception at Humphrey's, 3700 Laclede Ave., to kick off the 2013-14 sports season. Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will be available from 4-6:30 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION – Tickets for all women's soccer home games at Robert R. Hermann Stadium can be purchased at the gate, by phone at (314) 977-4SLU or online at www.slubillikens.com. Prices for single-game tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Groups of 20 or more receive discounted tickets for $4 apiece. Season tickets are $70 for adults and $40 for youth (ages 3-12). Students with a valid SLU ID card receive free admission.

FOLLOWING THE ACTION – Free live statistics are available for Friday's SLU-Western Michigan game. The link may be found in the schedule boxes located just below the main photo on www.SLUBillikens.com. Live stats also may be accessed by visiting slu.statbroadcast.com or, on your mobile device, slustats.com.

LAST TIME OUT – Six different players scored a goal in Saint Louis' 6-1 exhibition victory over Arkansas State Aug. 16 at Hermann Stadium. Jenny Hummert and Kirsten Clemens recorded a goal and an assist apiece, while Jamei Borges, Livi Logan-Wood, Kailey Pretzlaff and Julia Merlo each found the back of the net. Michelle Schwarz and Tori Belgeri tallied an assist apiece. Hanna Benben made three saves.

ABOUT THE BILLIKENS – Saint Louis returns eight starters and 10 additional players from last year's 5-9-4 team that finished 12th (3-4-2) in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Among the returning starters are senior forwards Maddie Gebauer (3G, 1A) and Jenny Hummert (2G, 3A), who tied for the team scoring lead in 2012. Junior forward Lindsay Elking tallied one goal and three assists last year after earning a starting spot. Senior defender Jessie Jarrett (1G, 1A) is back after helping the Bills post seven shutouts and a 1.11 GAA, as are junior defenders Maddy Bush (1G) and Mary Wright (1A). Additional returning starters are junior forward Abbey Stock and sophomore midfielder Katelyn Hammarlund. Sophomore midfielder Jamei Borges came off the bench and netted three goals in her rookie campaign. Also returning are senior forward Kailey Pretzlaff (1G, 1A), senior midfielder Tori Belgeri, junior defenders Andrea Strebler and Julia Merlo, junior midfielder Mallorie Owens, sophomore forward Livi Logan-Wood, sophomore defenders Colleen Cole and Michelle Schwarz, and sophomore goalkeeper Hanna Benben.

SEVEN FRESHMEN ON BOARD – The Billikens welcome seven freshmen to the 2013 team – defender Kacey Bright, forward Kirsten Clemens, midfielder Tori Marshall, defender Alyssa Mastroianni, forward Molly Piech, forward/midfielder Cristina Rodriguez and midfielder Shaney Sakamoto.

HEAD COACH KATIE SHIELDS – Katie Shields, the third head coach in Saint Louis women's soccer history, is in her first season guiding the Billikens. Shields was a SLU assistant coach last year. Prior to her arrival at Saint Louis, Shields spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Northwestern. She served three years in the same capacities at her alma mater, Harvard, where she helped guide the Crimson to Ivy League titles and NCAA Championship berths in 2008 and 2009. Shields began her coaching career with a one-year stint as an assistant at Cal Irvine. In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, she served as assistant goalkeeping coach for the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer in 2009; head coach of the Boston Bolts F.C. girls' youth clubs for two years; and camp director/senior staff member of Soccerplus Goalkeeper School from 2006-11. Earlier this year, she served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team. Shields is a 2006 graduate of Harvard with a bachelor's degree in government. She is joined on the sideline by four newcomers to the staff – assistant coaches Scott Gloden and Vince Gentile, volunteer assistant Anne Gloden and graduate assistant Maggie Baumann.

SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN – The Broncos of the Mid-American Conference were 5-8-4 overall and 1-4-4 (10th place) in league play in 2012. Western Michigan played two exhibition games last week, losing 5-0 at Michigan and battling to a 2-2 draw at IPFW. Goalkeeper Michelle Watson (0.94 GAA) returns, as do the Broncos' top four scorers – Rachel Chaney (4G, 2A), Diana Dedvukaj (3G, 2A), Aubrey Sudomier (2G, 1A) and Kylie Nylen (2G, 1A).

SERIES HISTORY – Saint Louis defeated Western Michigan 1-0 on Oct. 11, 1996, at home in the only meeting between the teams.