Scorpions shut down Texas College to reach RRAC men's final

No. 14 University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College registered its eighth shutout of the season, shutting down Texas College 2-0 in a Red River Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal Friday in Fort Worth

The Scorpions have reached the RRAC championship game for the third straight season. UTB-TSC plays Our Lady of the Lake, which won in a shootout over Huston-Tillotson at 5 p.m. Saturday.

UTB-TSC (16-0-1) remained undefeated. The shutout was the eighth of the season for the Scorpions and kept them unbeaten against RRAC opponents over a three-year span.

After a scoreless first half, the Scorpions finally got on the scoreboard two minutes into the second half on a goal by Aaron Guerrero with an assist by Steve Howard.

In the 59th minute, Rogelio "Chino" Perez scored his first goal of the season inside the box on a loose ball after a rebound off the goalkeeper. Evans Frimpong was credited with his 12th assist of the season, which leads the conference in that category.

Ahead by two goals, the Scorpions cruised the rest of the way. Dan Balaguero emptied his bench later in the half, getting all offensive players into the game.

The postgame celebrations were somewhat subdued. UTB-TSC came into the tournament with a business-like attitude to win the conference tournament for the third straight.

Should the Scorpions win Saturday, they will likely host an NAIA national championship opening-round game Nov. 21 in Brownsville.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Scorpions storm back in second half

Down 1-0 at halftime, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College struck for four goals in the second half to cruise past Texas Wesleyan 4-2 in a Red River Athletic Conference women’s soccer semifinal game Friday in Fort Worth.

The Scorpions (10-4-2) advance to the RRAC championship game at 7 p.m. today against the winner of a late Friday game between Northwood and Our Lady of the Lake.

The tournament champion advances to the NAIA national tournament and will play an opening-round game Nov. 21.

Texas Wesleyan took a 1-0 lead after a 30-yard free kick by Jamie Romaguera bounced off the left post and into the net in the 12th minute of the game.

UTB-TSC struck back quickly in the second half. Helen Wagstaff scored with an assist by Leah Russell in the 54th minute to tie the game at 1. Seven minutes later, Sara Di Benedetto scored on a header off a rebound to put the Scorpions ahead, a lead they would not relinquish.

Russell and Linette Cuvillier added goals to ice the game. TWU scored a goal with five minutes remaining in the game.

The Scorpions controlled the game, outshooting TWU 30-8 and 8-3 in on shots on goal. Stephanie Reid played 90 minutes and had six saves for the Scorpions.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

UTB-TSC battles SWAGU for 25th straight win

The No. 9 University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College faced its stiffest volleyball challenge of the Red River Athletic Conference season against Southwestern Assemblies of God but still came away with a 3-0 win Friday in Waxahachie.

For the first time in conference play, a team scored 24 points against the Scorpions in a set, forcing UTB-TSC to win 26-24 in the first set. The Scorpions cruised in the second and third sets, 25-11 and 25-18.

UTB-TSC (28-1, 15-0 RRAC) has won 25 straight matches. The Scorpions have one more conference match remaining at 11 a.m. Saturday at Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth.

SAGU (22-7) fell to 9-5 in conference.

UTB-TSC will be the No. 1 seed in the RRAC Volleyball Tournament on Nov. 13 and 14 in Fort Worth.