Scorpions soccer teams set for playoff games today

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College will face Biola University at 6 p.m. today at REK Center Field, one of 15 NAIA national men’s soccer championship opening-round games.

On the women’s side, UTB-TSC will face Southern Nazarene at 3 p.m. in an opening-round game.

The men’s game is the first meeting between the two schools in any sport.

The winners of the opening-round games, as well as host school Fresno Pacific (Calif.), will advance to the national championship final site from Nov. 30 through Dec. 5 in Fresno, Calif.

UTB-TSC is the sixth seed in the tournament field and was ranked No. 14 in the final NAIA coaches top 25 poll. The Scorpions captured their third straight Red River Athletic Conference Tournament championship, earning an automatic berth in the tournament. UTB-TSC finished the season 17-0-1, winning its last 14 straight games.

Biola finished the season with a 13-4-2 record and was ranked No. 12 in the final NAIA poll. The Eagles earned the sixth and final at-large berth in the field.

In only three years of the Scorpions’ soccer program, UTB-TSC is making its second straight trip to the NAIA tournament, losing 3-0 on the road to The University of Mobile (Ala.) in the opening round last season.

Biola is making just its third trip to the NAIA national tournament and its first since 1987.

The winner of Saturday’s game will face the winner of the match between Science and Arts (Okla.) (17-1-1) and Hastings (Neb.) (15-4-2) in a second-round match at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 in Fresno.

The women’s game is the third meeting between the two schools in women’s soccer. SNU won the first two games, both played at home. The winners advance to the final site from Nov. 30 through Dec. 5 in Decatur, Ala.

UTB-TSC is unseeded in the tournament. The Scorpions captured their second Red River Athletic Conference Tournament championship in three years, earning an automatic berth in the tournament.

UTB-TSC finished the season 11-4-2, winning eight of its last nine games.

Southern Nazarene is seeded 16th in the tournament and had a 16-3-1 record, receiving votes equivalent to a No. 27 ranking in the final NAIA Coaches Top 25 poll. The Crimson Storm qualified for the tournament by winning the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.

In only three years of the Scorpion soccer program, UTB-TSC is making its second trip to the NAIA postseason. In 2007, the Scorpions advanced to the NAIA Region VI Tournament and were eliminated by SNU 2-0 on the road.

Southern Nazarene is making just its fourth trip to the NAIA postseason, advancing in 1995, 1996 and 2007.

The winner of Saturday’s game will face the winner of the match between top-seeded Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (17-2-2) and Missouri Baptist University (12-7-1) in a second round game at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, in Decatur.

Ticket prices to the game are $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 17. Children 5 years and under are admitted free. UTB-TSC students, faculty and staff are free with Sting ID Card.

UTB-TSC will carry live video of the games. Hugo Engleheart Rodriguez, Sports Editor of The Collegian student newspaper, will provide the play-by-play. Broadcast time is 2:50 p.m. for the women’s game and 5:50 p.m. for the men’s game.