Scorpions To Face University of Mobile (Ala.) in NAIA national tournament
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College men's soccer team found out Sunday it will face the University of Mobile (Ala.) on the road Saturday in the opening round of the NAIA national men's soccer tournament.
The time of the game has yet to be determined. UM also will play host to an opening-round match in volleyball Saturday.
The Scorpions earned a spot in the national tournament by winning their second straight Red River Athletic Conference tournament championship Nov. 8 in Fort Worth. UTB-TSC defeated Huston-Tillotson 1-0 in overtime.
UTB-TSC is 15-4, and Mobile, which tied for the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship, is 11-6-2.
"It is always a fun day when you find out your opponent for a national championship game," Scorpions coach Dan Balaguero said. "I think it is a decent draw for us, but I'm not sure there is such a thing as a good or bad draw at this stage because everyone making the national tournament has to be good."
Mobile, coached by Peter Fuller, is reaching the national tournament for the second straight year and 12th time in the school's history. The Rams, who have reached the Final Four in six of their previous 11 trips, won the national title in 2002.
"When you think of NAIA powerhouses and legendary coaches, Mobile and Peter come to my mind instantly," Balaguero said. "We will be going in as underdogs, however we have no fear. Training has been first class since our conference championship."
