Scorpions looking for path to NAIA's Sweet Sixteen

The opportunity to advance to the final 16 of the NAIA national soccer tournament for the first time presents itself at 6 p.m. today as the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College Scorpions (15-3-1) play host to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers (14-4) at Brownsville Sports Park.

The No. 21 Scorpions and unranked Drovers are meeting in the opening round of the national tournament with the winner clinching a berth in the NAIA’s Sweet Sixteen from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 at Orange Beach, Ala. In their four-year history of playing soccer, the Scorpions have reached this stage of the NAIA playoffs before, but never advanced beyond it.

One year ago at REK Center Field on the UTB-TSC campus, the Scorpions almost advanced but wound up on the short end against Biola (Calif.) University in a match that went to penalty kicks after regulation and overtime play saw the two teams deadlocked at 2. Biola prevailed 4-3 on penalties to advance to the final 16.

The Scorpions are looking for a different result this time.

"Playing at home is obviously a big advantage for us," said Ricky Rodriguez, a senior midfielder from San Benito who has played for the Scorpions since the program began in 2007. "Hopefully, there’s going to be a good crowd. It would help the team a lot. We’re just hoping for the best.

"For me, it’s coming to an end (playing for the Scorpions)," he added. "This pretty much has been the best four years of my soccer career because I’ve learned a lot. I’ve been around a lot of good players and we’ve won a lot of games. It’s something you’ll never forget."

The Scorpions and Drovers are playing each other for the first time. The Drovers were ranked as high as No. 8 earlier in the season. UTB-TSC qualified for the NAIA national tournament by winning the Red River Athletic Conference tournament earlier this month in Brownsville. After not winning its conference tournament, USAO received an at-large bid to the NAIA playoffs.

The Scorpions expect to face a talented team with plenty of height.

"Our opponent had some problems with injuries earlier in the season and lost a couple of games, but they’ve got everyone back now, I believe," UTB-TSC coach Dan Balaguero said. "They’re going to be a tough team to beat. But any team you face now is going to be difficult. I think that playing at home is going to be huge for us, solely because we’re more comfortable playing at home."

UTB-TSC has won 13 straight matches, including a 1-0 victory over Huston-Tillotson in the RRAC tournament final Nov. 6 at Brownsville Sports Park. The Drovers are coming off a 2-1 loss to Oklahoma City University on Nov. 8 in the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament. Just like the Scorpions, the Drovers lost in the opening round of the NAIA national tournament one year ago.

Tonight’s winner is scheduled to play either No. 2 Simon Frasier (B.C.) or Great Falls (Mont.) at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 at Orange Beach, Ala.

Along with Rodriguez, goalkeeper Juan Gamboa and midfielder-defender Rogelio "Chino" Perez are local players who have been with the Scorpions’ program since it began.

"The fans were great at the conference tournament, and we hope that it’s the same for the game on Saturday," said Gamboa, a former Pace standout who is a repeat first-team all-conference performer. "These have been four of the best years of my life. I’ve been a part of four great teams that have won conference championships each year. I feel very happy that Coach Balaguero gave me a chance to be part of his teams. I also thank him for having trust in me these four years.

"(Against USAO), we just need to play how we have been playing all season," he added. "We have a great team, and I’m sure we can win if we play to the best of our ability and stay concentrated throughout the whole game. It’s the last chance for us seniors to reach the national’s final site." 

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