Scorpion soccer squads geared up for season openers

Ready or not, the soccer season starts this weekend for the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College men's and women's squads.

The UTB-TSC men open in Houston at 7 p.m. today against the University of St. Thomas. The Scorpion women play their opener at 4 p.m. Sunday at Brownsville's Morningside Park against Texas A&M Inter-national University of Laredo.

"As a coach, you are always looking for more time to prepare the team and wanting everything to be perfect," said Nikola "Nik" Barjaktarevic, the UTB-TSC women's soccer coach. "We will definitely be ready for our season opener. We have a few more days (of practice) that we will use to make sure we open the season with a win and set the mentality for the rest of the year."

In their inaugural 2007 seasons, the Scorpion squads each won the Red River Athletic Conference tour-nament. The UTB-TSC men also captured the RRAC regular-season title.

So expectations are high.

"We must ensure that we are ready mentally because we owe St. Thomas one after they were the only team to beat us in Brownsville last fall (3-2)," said Dan Balaguero, UTB-TSC men's soccer coach.
"Lots of injuries have made it difficult to get a set system (in place)," he added. "However, it looks as though we will probably have a full squad to select from this weekend."

The Scorpion men suffered a 3-0 scrimmage loss at Texas A&M International on Monday.

The UTB-TSC volleyball team is attempting to regroup after last weekend's 0-4 showing in the South Padre Island Challenge Tournament. The next action for the Scorpions will be Sept. 5-6 in the Texas A&M International Tournament.