The 15th-ranked Scorpion men’s soccer team (13-0-1, 7-0
RRAC) will host the Texas A&M International University Dustdevils (5-7-3,
4-2-2 Heartland Conference) at 7 p.m. today in the Recreation, Education and
Kinesiology Center for their final game of the season.
"They always give us a tough game," defender Brian Hardie
said Wednesday. "But I think we’ll play it at home, so we should have the
crowd behind us; it should make a big difference again."
The last time the two teams faced each other was a road
game for the Scorpions on Sept. 14, a match they ended up winning 4-2 after
being down two goals.
"TAMIU has become a bit of a rivalry and, hopefully, that
game we have a chance to be undefeated for the regular season," said Head
Coach Dan Balaguero. "I don’t think there’s going to be as many goals as in
the first game. … I expect it to be a low-scoring game, which we’re going to
win."
The men’s team also was looking to clinch its third
consecutive regular season conference title this weekend as they faced the
Northwood University Knights in the last conference game of the regular
season.
"They’ve got a good new goalkeeper, he’s getting the
conference awards every week," Hardie said. "So, I think it will be a tough
game, but we should have enough to win it and come out on top."
The tournament seeds were determined this weekend as the
final conference games were played.
The last time the men’s team faced the Knights was on
Oct. 4, 2008, at Morningside Park. The Scorpions shut out the Knights 2-0 in
that game.
The women’s soccer team (9-3-2, 6-0-1 RRAC) faced an
equally tough challenge on Senior Day last Saturday, as it played the
Knights (9-4, 6-0 RRAC).
Whoever would emerge victorious from that game would
obtain the 2009 Regular Season Championship, a title that last year was
split three ways among Texas Wesleyan University, Northwood University and
UTB/TSC.
Northwood also ended the Scorpions’ season prematurely by
knocking them out of the RRAC tournament in the semifinals.
"I’m sure it will be a good game against them, we’re
happy to play them again," said Head Coach Nik Barjaktarevic. "The players
have been getting ready, and everybody’s really excited to play."
Defender Carling Rootes expected the team to come out
strong.
"Northwood’s a good team, but I think if we play our game
and keep up with hard practices this week, I think we’ll definitely win at
home," Rootes said.
In other soccer news, forward Aaron Guerrero was named
RRAC Offensive player for the week of Oct. 19.
Midfielder Helen Wagstaff also obtained that honor, which
she split with Texas Wesleyan University’s Jaimie Romaguera.
Defender Chelsea Maidment was also named RRAC Defensive Player of the
Week.
