Scorpions cuise past Santa Fe 5-2
HOBBS, N.M. - Juan Nava scored twice and Steve Howard had two assists to lead the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College men's soccer team to a 5-2 victory over College of Santa Fe in a non-conference game Friday.
"I thought we were very inconsistent today. For the vast majority we were fantastic, and then we switch off and make mental mistakes," Scorpions coach Dan Balaguero said. "We gave away two very bad goals, which concerns me. We must clean this up before the conference tournament."
UTB/TSC controlled the game, outshooting the Prairie Dogs 29-6. The Scorpions had a 15-3 advantage in shots on goal, and Scorpions goalkeeper Juan Gamboa made one save.
Nava scored in the 31st minute with an assist by Filiberto Cortinas, and Jose Galvan's goal in the 36th minute made it 2-0. The Scorpions led 2-1 at halftime.
During the second half, Draion McNain scored on an assist by Howard, Ricky Rodriguez scored on assist by McNain, and Nava ended the scoring on Howard's assist.
"Steve Howard was magnificent again today, he is in really good form at the moment," Balaguero said. "The boys are obviously tired after the hot conditions and the long bus ride. We look forward to wrapping up the regular season (today)."
The Scorpions (12-4), who have clinched the Red River Athletic Conference championship with a 6-0 record, finish the regular season with a 2 p.m. game Saturday against University of the Southwest ( 4-8, 2-4) in Hobbs.
After the men's game Saturday, the Scorpion women play USW in a 4 p.m. game. A victory gives the Scorpion women a conference co-championship.
Shorthanded Scorpions Drop 3-0 Decision to NCAA Division III Power Trinity
SAN ANTONIO - Trinity University, ranked 11th in NCAA Division III, overwhelmed the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College 25-4, 25-9, 25-19 on Friday at the Sams Gym.
The Scorpions (7-18) were without setter/outside hitter/defensive specialist Jenny Soto, who stayed home with an illness, and have played four weeks without team captain Katie Japp, who is out with a hand injury.
The Tigers wrapped up their regular season with a 25-9 record, 13-1 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
"Trinity is solid, they have a lot of depth," Scorpions coach John Barnes said. "Because Jenny did not make the trip, we're really without two starters. Jenny being out takes an offensive weapon out of our rotation."
Jacque Touchet led UTB-TSC with four kills and four blocks. Chelsea Spadaro had 10 assists, and Anayeli Trevino provided 10 digs. The Scorpions never challenged during the first two sets and played better in the third against several Trinity reserves.
The Scorpions play two matches Saturday, first at 11 a.m. in San Antonio against Our Lady of the Lake and then at 4 p.m. in Austin against Huston-Tillotson.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, the Scorpions visit Houston Baptist.
"It's going to be a tough weekend, but we hope to take the important conference match against HTU," Barnes said. "We beat them the first time in Brownsville, but they will be hungry to beat us."
UTB-TSC ends the regular season with three conference matches at home against Wiley College, Jarvis Christian College and Texas College on Nov. 7 and 8.
