Rootes provides Scorpion women with stability on defense

Carling Rootes remembers how good it felt last year when the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College women's soccer team won the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament.

A sophomore defender from Calgary, Canada, Rootes believes the Scorpions (8-5-1, 6-1 RRAC) can do it again with virtually a new team.

The UTB-TSC women play in the RRAC Tournament semifinals at 2 p.m. today in Fort Worth. The final is 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

"My expectations are nothing less than the tournament championship," said Rootes, a first-team all-conference selection for two seasons now. "I think our team has done good so far. We've have had our ups and downs, but we're still strong as a team and excited about the weekend."

Two years ago, Rootes, a biology major, traded the familiar surroundings of Calgary for sunny South Texas to join UTB-TSC's inaugural women's soccer team under coach Nikola "Nik" Barjaktarevic.

"It has been a great experience for me here so far," said Rootes, who plans to return to Canada to study dental hygiene after she graduates from UTB-TSC.

Rootes is one of only three starters back from last season. She's continued her role as a leader on defense for a squad that starts eight freshmen.

"We again have a very young squad, and Carling is one of the players who has stepped up and provided the leadership we needed to make us a winning team," Barjaktarevic said. "She's our most consistent player in the back. As coaches, she's a player we can always rely on.

"We're happy to see that her consistent play on a team that has recorded six shutouts this year and allowed only three goals in conference has landed her on the all-conference first team again," he added.

The all-conference selections were announced Wednesday.

As a team captain, Rootes is eager to fulfill her responsibilities.

"I try to keep the team organized, especially the defenders," she said. "I approach every game the same way - we just have to win."  

Cortinas returns home to bolster Scorpions' soccer success

Filiberto Cortinas' soccer career has come full circle.

After graduating from Porter in 2004, Cortinas went to Graceland University in Iowa and then Texas College in Tyler to play soccer.

In 2007, he was thrilled to find out the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College was starting a soccer team. Cortinas came home to play for the Scorpions.

"It was too far away (at those other schools)," said Cortinas, a junior attacking midfielder who was named to the All-Red River Athletic Conference first team this week. "I knew they were going to have a good team here, and this is where it all started for me. My family is here. It's good to be back."

The conference regular-season champion Scorpions (13-4, 7-0 RRAC) face an opponent to be determined in the RRAC Tournament semifinals at 4 p.m. today in Fort Worth. The final is 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

UTB-TSC men's soccer coach Dan Balaguero is grateful for Cortinas' presence on the team.

"I fell in love with Fili's technique when I first saw him at open tryouts in May 2007," Balaguero said. "Everyone knows about Fili's quick feet, vision and fine touch, but the one thing that may not be evident to all is what a great defender he is playing attacking mid. He is a total pest defensively.

"The game has changed, and no player, not even a No. 10 (jersey wearer), can play free with no defensive responsibility," Balaguero added. "Fili is a great example of a modern day No. 10. He is a complete warrior and without a doubt one of the bravest players I've ever worked with. I have never seen Fili shy away from a tackle. All the boys respect his ability, but what everyone respects the most about Fili is his work rate during matches."

Cortinas, a special education major, sees the conference tournament as a matter of which team can produce under pressure.

"Everyone (in the tournament) wants to win and go to nationals," he said. "I think we can repeat as champions if we play together and play hard. Our season has been going pretty well, and I believe we can do it." 

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

Men's soccer lands four to all-conference first team

Four members of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College men's soccer team are on the 2008 All-Red River Athletic Conference first team.

In addition to making the first team, senior forward Fernando Mendoza was named offensive player of the year and junior defender Brian Hardie was defensive player of the year.

Mendoza led the Scorpions and the RRAC in goals scored with 14 in 17 games.

"Fernando (Mendoza) has led the line well; his goals have been priceless over the two years," Balaguero said. "He has done a wonderful job of being the team leader, his attitude and work rate have been second to none. We will really miss the big man next year."

Said Balaguero about Hardie, "Brian has been a man mountain for us this season, a natural striker who has been converted into a center back. Due to Brian's ability and understanding of the game, he would be a standout at any position on the field. He is a winner who drives the boys on from the back."

Also named to the first team were two midfielders, sophomore Filiberto Cortinas and senior Dave Purser. Scorpions coach Dan Balaguero even was named coach of the year for the second straight year.

Regarding his award, Balaguero said, "I can't get this without a great team and a great assistant coach (Andy Ravanello)."

Mendoza and Purser were repeat first-team selections. Midfielders James McCarron and Darren O'Connor, defender Steve Howard, and goalkeeper Juan Gamboa were on the second team.

Four women's soccer players named to all-conference first team

Four members of the Scorpion women's soccer team, three of them freshmen, are on the 2008 All-Red River Athletic Conference first team.

Freshman forward Linette Cuvillier, freshmen midfielders Verena Wonsikowski and Helen Wagstaff and sophomore defender Carling Rootes were the honorees. Cuvillier also received freshmen of the year honors.

"We are really excited for our players being honored by the conference coaches as well to have a player being honored as freshman of the year," Scorpions coach Nik Barjaktarevic said. "This represents an accomplishment of our entire team, and all of the players on this list couldn't have done it if the entire team wasn't helping them."

Forward Rochelle Bryan, midfielder Milica Mihavlovic and defender Sara DiBenedetto, all freshmen, are on the second team.

Cuvillier, who graduated from Los Fresnos in 2006, stands 5-foot-1 and eludes bigger defenders with her speed. She led the team in goals with six.

"Linette (Cuvillier) represents what we ask for from every player, and that is hard work and dedication," Barjaktarevic said. "She came in prepared in preseason, and her hard work combined with her speed and technical ability always makes her a big offensive threat."

For Rootes, it was her second all-conference award. The co-captain was the only all-conference returner for the Scorpions.

"Carling (Rootes) provided a lot of consistency and leadership not only defensively but for the whole team," Barjaktarevic said. "Sara (DiBenedetto) also stepped up and helped solidify our back line, playing more offensively either on the left or right side.

"Waggi (Wagstaff) provided a spark in the central part of the field, winning the balls defensively, playing aggressive and connecting our back line with our forwards," Barjaktarevic said. "Verena is another very aggressive and hard-working player that scored some very important goals for us throughout the season."

"Milica (Mihajlovic) played as defensive midfielder and is probably one of the best players technically and tactically in the entire conference," Barjaktarevic said. "She has a very powerful shot and a great potential to be one of the best players in the NAIA.

Bryan made her mark as a passer more than a scorer because she often faced double-teams from defenders. She led the team in assists with six.

"Chunky (Bryan) is very technical and always dangerous player, and she would always find a way to goal or to her teammates with quality final passes," Barjaktarevic said. "Linette and Rochelle are working better and better together with every game, and both playing their first year of college soccer, we see a bright future, attacking and attractive soccer with plenty lot of goals in our future."

Volleyball ends regular season with three home matches

The UTB-TSC women's volleyball team ends its regular season with three home conference matches today and Saturday at Manuel Garza B. Gymnasium.

Red River Athletic Conference South Zone leader Wiley College (28-7, 9-1) comes to town at 6 p.m. today to face the Scorpions (7-21, 5-4). On Saturday, the Scorpions face Jarvis Christian College (1-20, 1-9) at 10 a.m. and then meet Texas College (1-21, 1-9) at 2 p.m.

The matches mark the final home appearance for Scorpions senior captain Katie Japp, who has played three seasons with the Scorpions. Japp was the leader in kills and hitting percentage before a hand injury suffered Oct. 4.

The Scorpions will participate in the RRAC Tournament on Nov. 14 and 15 in Austin.