The Indiana men’s soccer team opens its 2012 spring campaign this Saturday as it faces the Saint Louis Billikens at 7 p.m. ET at Glenwood High School Soccer Stadium in Springfield, Ill.

 

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students, grades K-12.

 

Proceeds from the match benefit Kailey’s Krew, a nonprofit organization founded by family and friends in memory of Kailey Wilmarth. Kailey is the sister of former Hoosier soccer player Neil Wilmarth. In September of 2010, Wilmarth, then a seventh grader at Glenwood Middle School, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She lost her battle with the disease in May 2011.

 

The mission of Kailey’s Krew is to provide financial assistance for basic needs to families of children in the Midwest who have serious health challenges. For more information on Kailey’s Krew, or to make a donation contact Neil Wilmarth at neilwilmarth@yahoo.com.

 

Saturday’s match against Saint Louis kicks off a six-game spring slate, with four of those matches schedule for Bloomington. The Hoosiers welcome Bradley University on Sunday, April 1 (3 p.m.), Butler University on Friday, April 6 (7:30 p.m.), Lindsey Wilson University on Friday, April 13 (8 p.m.) and the U-20 Mexican National Team on Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m.

 

The Hoosiers will also face Notre Dame on Saturday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Fort Wayne.

 

Indiana welcomes back eight starters from last year’s team that finished 13-4-5 and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Big Ten Freshman of the Year Eriq Zavaleta is looking to build upon his rookie campaign, where he led the team in goals scored (10) and total points (25). Also back is sophomore Nikita Kotlov, who had a strong finish to the season and ended the year with nine goals.

 

Three-year starting goalkeeper Luis Soffner is back between the pipes, but the Hoosiers will have to replace to key parts of their back line with the graduation of center back Tommy Meyer and left back Chris Estridge. Junior Caleb Konstanski and sophomore Matt McKain return to anchor that defense.