An offensive surge in the final minutes of play brought fans to the edge of their Finley Stadium seats Friday night, but the Lady Tigers were unable to capitalize on their "oh, so close" attempts to tie the season opener. Freed-Hardeman University escaped with a 1-0 win over Campbellsville University to remain unbeaten on the year.

Campbellsville University women's soccer coach Thom Jones is hoping a pair of preseason competitions will be what his team needs to start the 2010 season with a victory. The Lady Tigers were held scoreless in their first of two preseason scrimmages Saturday, as Thomas More College visited Finley Stadium, but Jones considers the result similar to the start of 2009.

One common theme for Friday's soccer alumni games was facility upgrades. The Tiger and Lady Tiger soccer team s welcomed back a combined 34 alumni Aug. 20 for the annual alumni games, played this year at Finley Stadium for the first time.

It can be called either a field of dreams or a field of opportunity, either way Campbellsville University's new synthetic turf field is complete and so is the first phase of the $1.2 million "More Than a Game" campaign.

EnviroTurf workers put the final touches on the HIG Field surface Tuesday at Finley Stadium after a 15 day turf installation process.

"I am very pleased with the finished product," said Rusty Hollingsworth, CU director of athletics. "I believe this surface will serve our university very well for many years. It has been a long process, and I'm glad to see it completed."

The 2010 Campbellsville University soccer season will kick off Aug. 20 with Lady Tiger and Tiger alumni games at Finley Stadium, which will serve as the new home for CU soccer with the addition of synthetic turf and lights.

The Lady Tigers will start the night with an alumni game at 6 p.m. followed by a Tigers alumni game at 8 p.m. Both teams will participate in preseason scrimmages against Thomas More College on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.