Scorpions raised level of play in 2009

Although the men’s soccer team at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College finished just short of reaching the NAIA Tournament Sweet 16 in California, it was still quite a remarkable season, Scorpions coach Dan Balaguero said.

The 2009 season came to a close for the three-time Red River Athletic Conference champion Scorpions (17-0-2), ranked 15th nationally, on Saturday at REK Center Field, when No. 12 Biola University (13-4-3) of California edged UTB-TSC 4-3 on penalty kicks during the opening round of the NAIA Tournament. The two teams were tied at 2 after 90 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. Biola moved on to the NAIA Sweet 16 to face Hastings College of Nebraska on Nov. 30 at Fresno, Calif.

"It was an incredible season," said Balaguero, who has coached the Scorpions since the UTB-TSC soccer program began in 2007. "To not lose once in regulation (this season) is a tremendous accomplishment. It was the most talented team I have ever coached.

"I am devastated the way it all ended," he added. "Losing on PKs after outplaying a team is a tough blow to absorb. I feel we were much improved from 2007 and 2008, and I look forward to continued improvement. I know we will come back a stronger, more experienced team in 2010."

The Scorpions have won RRAC regular-season and conference tournament titles three straight years and boast a 31-0 record against RRAC opponents over that span.

Eight Scorpions were chosen all-conference this season, and Balaguero repeated as RRAC coach of the year. They were first-teamers Brian Hardie, Mario Perez, Evans Frimpong, Aaron Guerrero, Frederick Ekvall, Omar Apodaca and Juan Gamboa along with second-teamer Steve Howard. Hardie was named RRAC defensive player of the year for the second consecutive season, and Perez was selected RRAC newcomer of the year.

Hardie and Enrique "Chicle" Rivera were the only two seniors on the squad, and everyone else is expected to return.

"We had a perfect season and went undefeated all the way up to the national opener," Gamboa said. "We played great (against Biola), but unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side. I’m proud of all the players and the dedication everyone showed throughout the whole season. We’re losing two great players and friends, but I’m confident that Coach Balaguero will bring in some great help for next year.

"I also would like to thank all the people who went to support us on Saturday," he added. "They were great."

Hardie, a native of Corby, England, said he appreciated being selected twice as the conference’s top defensive player. He said he played with some very skilled players this season, including Perez, Frimpong, Apodaca and Gamboa.

"I give everything I have every single game, and it’s nice to see people notice the hard work," Hardie said. "Going undefeated was an amazing thing. There are not many teams that can say they have done something like that. We have joined an elite list of names.

"It was four years ago they brought me to America to play, and it was the greatest decision of my life," he added. "So many people have made this a home for me. The families of my teammates have welcomed me into their homes and their families with a bed to sleep in and a home-cooked dinner.

"This is an amazing community. I’m very sad that it is over. I do not know exactly what my future holds, but I believe that I have made friends and memories for life, and I am very thankful."

Roy Hess covers sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.