Joliet, Ill. --- The University of St. Francis softball program begins its 44th season of competition on Wednesday afternoon when the Fighting Saints open up on the road versus Goshen College (Ind.).  USF enters the campaign among others receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll.

USF will face two ranked foes in 2024 in No. 15 Northwestern College (Iowa) on St. Francis' annual spring trip to Arizona (March 4 and 9) and Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe and No. 24 Saint Xavier University (April 6).  The Saints will also take on Indiana University Southeast (Feb. 25) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Ariz. (March 9), both of whom are among others receiving votes like St. Francis.

Prior to the trip out west, head coach Amanda Jensen's club will also face Missouri Baptist University (Feb. 17), Brescia University, Ky. (Feb. 24) and Indiana University Southeast (Feb. 25).

USF will play 12 games over seven days (March 3-9) in Tucson, Arizona with matchups against Valley City State University (N. Dak.), Dickinson State University (N. Dak.), Waldorf University (Iowa), Briar Cliff University (Iowa), University of Jamestown (N. Dak.), Madonna University (Mich.), Concordia University (Neb.) and Mayville State University (N. Dak.).

Other non-league matchups include Cornerstone University, Mich. (March 15), Siena Heights University, Mich. (March 16), Rochester University, Mich. (March 29) and Culver-Stockton College, Mo. (April 28).

The Saints begin defense of their 2023 regular-season conference crown at Olivet Nazarene University on March 7.  Other road CCAC affairs have USF at Judson University (April 2), Calumet College of St. Joseph (April 13) and St. Ambrose University (April 20).  Home dates are Saint Xavier, Trinity Christian College (April 10), Indiana University South Bend (April 16) and Roosevelt University (April 24).    

The CCAC Tournament commences on May 2 and runs through May 6.  The NAIA National Championship Opening Round takes place May 13-15 with the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Ga. running from May 24-29.

St. Francis went 32-11 last spring, claiming its first regular-season league title since 2018 with an 18-2 record.  The Saints also advanced to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.

For the complete schedule, go to Schedule.

Links to live coverage can be found at gofightingsaints.com/coverage. You can also keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on Twitter @USFSaints.