The Missouri State men's soccer team (12-4-2) drew a visit to Saint Louis University (14-6-0) in the first round of the NCAA Division I Tournament.  The Bears and Billikens will face off at Robert R. Hermann Stadium at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 19.

Missouri State earned its first outright regular season conference title this year on a 7-1-1 record in the MVC.  The Bears finished the season with a 12-4-2 record, falling in overtime to Evansville in the MVC Tournament semifinals.  The Bears played an exhibition match at Saint Louis on August 22 with the Billikens prevailing, 2-0.  SLU holds an 8-0-3 all-time record against the Bears.

Missouri State was led by MVC Defensive Player of the Year Alex Riggs, who recorded eight of the Bears' nine shutouts.  His goals against average of 0.76 is the third-lowest season average in school history.

On the offensive side of the ball, Johannes Demarzi recorded 10 assists to lead the MVC.  His assist total and assists per game rank him in the top-10 nationally.  Heath Melugin and Paul Paradise each tallied five goals to lead the Bears.

The Bears have made two previous NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997 and 1999.  Missouri State dropped a 2-1 decision at No. 16 UAB in 1999 and lost 2-0 at No. 14 Saint Louis in 1997.