Scorpions Blank SAGU; Win RRAC Championship!
Posted October 24, 2008
WAXAHACHIE -- A la papita!

The UTB/TSC men's soccer team wrapped up its second straight Red River Athletic Conference championship with a 2-0 victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God University here Friday, October 24.

The Scorpions remained unbeaten in RRAC play with a 6-0 record and are now 11-4 overall.

"It wasn't real pretty, but a win is a win," Scorpion head coach Dan Balaguero said. "I'm thrilled for the players and everybody involved with the program. The second year to win a title is always harder than the first year."

In the first year of the soccer program in 2007, the Scorpion men rolled through the RRAC unbeaten with a 7-0 record and finished the season with a 14-5-1 record. This year, they have recorded eight shutouts in 15 games counting Friday's blanking of SAGU.

The Scorpions had 22 shots, including 17 shots on goal.

"We couldn't finish well today, but we were never in real danger," Balaguero said. "Today we missed our chances. The guys were getting the victory was the most important thing. Everyone is thrilled to have another championship."

After a scoreless first half, Filiberto Cortinas got the Scorpions on the scoreboard in the 51st minute with an eight-yard shot over the goalkeeper's head with an assist by Steve Howard.

In the 64th minute, Brian Hardie scored on a rebound by Juan Nava, who got credit for the assist.

The Scorpions were stingy on defense again, allowing SAGU only four shots, including one on goal that goalkeeper Juan Gamboa saved.