UTB-TSC Capsules: RRAC title on line for Scorpions women's soccer team
A strong second half to the 2009 season comes down to one game when the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College takes on Northwood at 3 p.m. Saturday at REK Center Field, with the winner grabbing the regular season Red River Athletic Conference women’s soccer crown.
Both teams have clinched a bye during the first round of the RRAC Tournament from Nov. 5 through 7 in Fort Worth. Saturday’s winner will get the No. 1 seed, with the loser dropping to the No. 2 spot.
Since a scoreless tie against Our Lady of the Lake in the conference opener, the Scorpions (9-3-2, 6-0-1 RRAC) have won six straight. Northwood (10-4, 7-0) has won eight straight.
Saturday’s game is the regular season finale for both teams and the final home appearance for the Scorpions in 2009.
These two teams have been among the top three in the conference since 2007. UTB-TSC finished third in the regular season in 2007 and won the conference tournament. The Scorpions, Knights and Texas Wesleyan shared the 2008 regular season title, and Northwood eliminated UTB-TSC 2-1 in the tournament.
Prior to the game, the Scoprions’ lone senior, Samantha Thorman, will be honored with a special presentation. Thorman and teammate Linette Cuvillier were the first players to sign a letter of intent in 2007.
MEN’S SOCCER
Scorpions seek outright crown Saturday
The men’s soccer kings of the Red River Athletic Conference go for their third straight undefeated conference season when the No. 15 University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College plays host to Northwood at 1 p.m. Saturday at REK Center Field.
Thanks to Northwood’s 2-1 loss Thursday to Our Lady of the Lake, the Scorpions have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the RRAC Tournament from Nov. 5 through 7 in Fort Worth. A victory over Northwood would give the Scorpions their third straight outright regular season title.
UTB-TSC (13-0-1, 7-0 RRAC) are one game ahead of second-place Huston-Tillotson. Northwood (8-6-2, 5-2) is in fourth place.
The Scorpions are on an eight-game winning streak since a 3-3 tie to Belhaven University (Miss.) in September in Mobile, Ala. In three seasons, the Scorpions are 28-0 against teams in the RRAC.
Spectators are encouraged to sit on the berms at REK Center Field.
UTB-TSC has one game left in the regular season after Saturday, playing host to Texas A&M-International at 7 p.m. Monday at REK Center Field.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
UTB-TSC concludes home schedule with victory
The No. 9 University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College coasted to a 3-0 victory over Bacone College in the final home volleyball match of the season Friday at Manuel Garza B. Gymnasium.
UTB-TSC (27-1, 14-0 RRAC) won by scores of 25-6, 25-10, 25-8 for its 24th straight victory of the season. Bacone fell to 4-20, 2-10.
Scorpions setter Daianarah Bracero, the personable senior who holds the all-time school record for assists in one season and career, played in her final home game. She played on the 2007 Scorpions team that advanced to the NAIA women's volleyball national championships, when UTB-TSC reached the quarterfinals in a 36-9 season.
In that season, Bracero had 1,880 assists in 158 sets, an average of better than 12 assists in sets that used to go to 30 points. She did not participate in the 2008 season. Bracero had 28 assists Friday night to add to the 890 she already had for 918 for the season. Her total career assists at UTB-TSC is 2,798 and counting.
The Scorpions were never threatened Friday. The score was tied at 6 in the third set when the Scorpions reeled off 16 straight points behind the serving of Rafaella Dornelas to take a 22-6 lead.
Individual statistics were not outstanding but the team hitting percentage of .571 was. UTB-TSC ranks fourth in the nation in hitting percentage. Arlene Ferreira led the Scorpions with eight kills, while Judith Boel had seven, and Bracero and Erica Chimak six each. Chimak led the team with eight digs.
The Scorpions finish the regular season on the road with matches at Southwestern Assemblies of God and Texas Wesleyan on Nov. 6 and 7. UTB-TSC has qualified as the top seed for the RRAC Tournament on Nov. 13 and 14.
