UTB-TSC Capsules: Scorpion Invitational Volleyball Tournament features three ranked teams

Some of the best volleyball Brownsville will see comes together this weekend at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College’s Scorpion Invitational Volleyball Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Manuel Garza B. Gymnasium.

Three teams ranked among the top 13 in the NAIA coaches top 25 poll — headlined by host sixth-ranked UTB-TSC (8-0) — make this tournament one of the best in the country. Eighth-ranked Columbia College (Mo.) (9-1), 13th-ranked Lubbock Christian (12-1) and unranked Texas Wesleyan (7-7) are visiting Brownsville.

The level of play at this tournament has never been seen before in the history of Scorpions volleyball. Columbia’s visit is the first time a team ranked in the top 10 has visited UTB-TSC in volleyball.

The match between UTB-TSC and Columbia on Saturday night is the only meeting between two NAIA teams ranked in the top 10 this week. The meeting marks a rematch of their match Sept. 4 in Missouri won by UTB-TSC, 3-1, which is Columbia’s only loss this year.

Friday night’s match between the Scorpions and Lubbock Christian has been named NAIA volleyball’s match of the week. A six-woman all-tournament team will be named Saturday night, in addition to a tournament MVP.

There will be live stats of all matches, in addition to live video and audio at www.utbstingradio.com. Select the athletics tab at the top of the page.

The Scorpions’ first match Friday against TWU will be a Red River Athletic Conference meeting.

Schedule

Friday, Sept. 17

UTB-TSC vs. Texas Wesleyan, 3 p.m.

Columbia vs. Texas Wesleyan, 5 p.m.

UTB-TSC vs. Lubbock Christian, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 18

Columbia vs. Lubbock Christian, 11 a.m.

Texas Wesleyan vs. Lubbock Christian, 3 p.m.

UTB-TSC vs. Columbia, 6 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

Scorpions drop 4-1 decision to Incarnate Word

SAN ANTONIO — NCAA Division II Incarnate Word used a strong first half to stop the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College 4-1 on Thursday at Benson Stadium.

The charter bus for UTB-TSC (1-2-1) made the trek from San Antonio to Oklahoma City, Okla., immediately after the game. The Scorpions take on Oklahoma Christian (1-3) at 6 p.m. Friday, then stay in Oklahoma City for a 6 p.m. Saturday meeting with Northwest Oklahoma State (1-3).

It’s the first time in the four-year history of Scorpions soccer that a UTB-TSC team scheduled three opponents in three days.

"We set this tough schedule to play tough opponents," coach Nik Barjaktarevic said. "It’s going to be extremely hard, but it will help prepare us for the conference season."

IWU (2-1-1.) scored two goals in the first half in the 26th and 37th minutes to take a 2-0 halftime lead. The Scorpions managed just one shot in the first 45 minutes.

IWU scored in the 61st minute to make it 3-0 before the Scorpions got on the scoreboard in the 67th minute on a penalty kick by Aliesha Cassie to make it 3-1. The Cardinals scored the final goal with 90 seconds left in the game.

"We could have done better as a team, but they were good at using the opportunities and converting them," Barjaktarevic said. "We put some pressure on them in the second half but we were not able to catch up."

The Scorpions took six shots in the second half and were outshot 19-7 in the game. IWU had an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. Leah Russell took two shots for the Scorpions, both on goal.

Scorpions goalkeeper Emily Michna played all 90 minutes and had four saves.

Men’s Soccer

Scorpions hope to bounce back in Oklahoma

Off to a disappointing 1-2-1 start, the the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College men’s soccer team looks to get to its customary winning ways when the Scorpions visit Oklahoma Baptist at 2 p.m. Friday in Oklahoma City.

The Scorpions meet Southern Nazarene in nearby Bethany at 3 p.m. Saturday.

UTB-TSC has rested for 11 days since a 4-2 loss to No. 24 William Carey on Sept. 5 in Houston, which set a Scorpions record for most goals allowed in one game.

The Oklahoma games are the continuation of a streak of seven straight road games to start the 2010 season. UTB-TSC visits Houston-Victoria on Sept. 22 to end the road stretch before its first home game Sept. 25 against St. Thomas.

The 1-2-1 start is the worst for the Scorpions since the start of the men’s soccer program in 2007. UTB-TSC had winning records after four games in 2007 (2-1-1), 2008 (3-1) and 2009 (4-0), and previously had not owned a losing record past the second game of the season.=