Juan Nava

Scorpions Cruise Past Santa Fe, 5-2; Regular Season Finale Set Saturday
Posted October 31, 2008
HOBBS, N.M. -- Juan Nava scored twice and Steve Howard had two assists to lead the UTB/TSC men's soccer team to a 5-2 victory over College of Santa Fe in a non-conference game here Friday, October 31.

The Scorpions are now 12-4 and finish their regular season with a 2 p.m. CDT game Saturday, November 1, against University of the Southwest in Hobbs. UTB/TSC has already clinched the Red River Athletic Conference championship with a 6-0 record. USW is 4-8 overall and 2-4 in RRAC play.

"I thought we were very inconsistent today for the vast majority we were fantastic and then we switch off and make mental mistakes," Scorpion head coach Dan Balaguero said. "We gave away two very bad goals which concerns me, we must clean this up before the conference tournament."

The Scorpions have clinched the No. 1 seed in the tournament and will begin play in the tournament semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday, November 8.

UTB/TSC controlled the game, taking 29 shots compared to six for the Prairie Dogs. The Scorpions had a 15-3 advantage in shots on goal. Scorpion goalkeeper Juan Gamboa had one save.

Nava scored in the 31st minute with an assist by Filiberto Cortinas, and Jose Galvan's goal in the 36th minute made it 2-0. The Scorpions led at halftime, 2-1.

In the second half, Draion McNain scored on an assist by Howard, Ricky Rodriguez scored on assist by McNain, and Nava ended the scoring on Howard's assist.

"Steve Howard was magnificent again today, he is in really good form at the moment," Balaguero said. "The boys are obviously tired after the hot conditions and the long bus ride, we look forward to wrapping up the regular season tomorrow."