Farmville, VA—The Howard University women's soccer team, which finished the 2012 season with a strong push before advancing to the Great West Tournament championship, will look to build on that improvement when it takes on the Lancers of Longwood University at 7 pm tonight.

Going into the season opener, the Bison will be led by an experienced group that includes senior midfielder Owyn Manson, junior midfielder Nia Walcott, junior defenders Jeseca Hinds and Treschelle Gibson-Serrette and junior goalkeeper Kyra Dickinson.

As fifth year head coach Brent Leiba continues to build the program to prominence, the above players figure to be an important part of that process. Manson scored three goals last season, Hinds, Walcott and Gibson-Serrette chipped in with two each and Walcott recorded three assists.

Dickinson started all 22 games in goal last season and recorded 163 saves while posting two shutouts.

In Longwood, Howard has a formidable foe in its opener. The Lancers, who dropped a 3-2 road decision to North Carolina State on Sunday, posted an impressive 13-6-2 record last season in their first year as a member of the Big South.

Following tonight's match, the Bison have a four-game home stand that starts on Friday when they host crosstown rival American University at 7 pm in Greene Stadium. They will then follow with games against VMI on Monday, September 2 at 7 pm, Wagner on Friday, September 6 at 7 pm and concluding with Robert Morris on Sunday September 8 at 1 pm.