Filiberto Cortinas

Scorpions Topple Northwood, 4-1, to Stay in First
Posted September 28, 2007
CEDAR HILL -- UTB/TSC Scorpion men's soccer team maintained its hold on first place in the Red River Athletic Conference with a 4-1 victory over Northwood University here Friday, September 28.

The Scorpions (7-2-1, 4-0), winners of five straight, will now face their toughest conference challenger thus far against Texas Wesleyan University at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 29.

TWU is 5-3-1 and is the only other conference team without a conference loss at 1-0.

"I was real happy with the way the team responded today," Scorpion head coach Dan Balaguero said. "Any road win is a good win."

The Scorpions took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute on a goal by Filiberto Cortinas from 18 yards out with an assist by Ricky Rodriguez. Northwood tied the score in the 28th minute and the game was tied 1-1 at halftime.

Marco Malovic nailed a penalty kick in the 53rd minute to give the Scorpions the lead for good at 2-1. Goalkeeper Juan Gamboa would save a penalty kick in the 59th minute, one of six saves on the day, that prevented the Knights from tying the game.

Fernando Mendoza then iced the game with two goals in the 71st and 89th minutes, getting assists from Brian Hardie and Antonio Vernaschi, respectively.

The Scorpions outshot the Knights, 19-7. Balaguero did not let the team celebrate too much after the game.

"But we have a big game Saturday," Balaguero said. "It's a huge game to see who will be in the driver's seat in the conference."