TSC, ONLY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN TOP 10 ON TO NATIONALS; WELCOME PARTY UPON THEIR ARRIVAL FROM DALLAS TONIGHT

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

RICHARDSON —  After defeating Southern Methodist University in a dramatic 8-7 penalty kick series (9-8 aggregate) after a 1-1 draw in regulation Saturday, Texas Southmost College Scorpions stunned Texas Tech 2-0 at the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association Region IV South Tournament final Sunday at the University of Texas-Dallas Soccer Complex.

That wins earned TSC one of two bids to the to the NIRSA Championship Series National Soccer Championships on Nov. 20-23 in Round Rock.

TSC is the only community college that qualified to the men’s regional tournament and the only one ranked in the top 10.

"Texas Tech and SMU had good teams," said TSC board president Adela Garza. "In fact, the Red Raiders are ranked No. 1 in Region IV. But ours is better."

The college has a homecoming welcome party planned for the team's arrival at the Rec Center between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. depending on the team's arrival here.

“The players showed what they are capable of doing,” TSC coach Mario Zamora said. “We faced a physically strong opponent that handled the ball well. Our team knew how to control the game and took advantage of our scoring opportunities, and our defense was impeccable. We appreciate all the support of the TSC Board of Trustees, TSC President Jesús Roberto Rodríguez, my family and everyone in the community.”

TSC midfielder Alberto Huerta and forward José “Chevy” Echavarria scored goals against Texas Tech to give the Scorpions one of two bids to the NIRSA Championship Series National Soccer Championships on Nov. 20-23 in Round Rock.

“It was a big win for us as a team, for Texas Southmost College and the whole community that always supports us,” Echavarria said. “We accomplished another one of our objectives of the season, which was to qualify to nationals. Now, it’s time for us to get to work on accomplishing our third objective and represent TSC, Brownsville and the entire Rio Grande Valley by competing at the national tournament, and God-willing bring home a national championship.”

After a scoreless first half, Huerta put the Scorpions on the board during the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Echavarria added an insurance goal during the 62nd minute to seal TSC victory and trip to the national tournament.

Meanwhile, the Scorpions’ defense stopped a potent and physical Texas Tech squad that had its fair share of scoring opportunities. However, TSC’s stingy defense denied the Red Raiders time and again from finding the back of the net.

“We did what we had to do, we went out onto the field with a positive mentality and totally concentrated on the game and the teams we were playing against,” Scorpions defender Uriel Rodríguez said. “We made a few mistakes, but we knew how to handle the situation calmly. On offense, we had some missed opportunities, but we knew how to attack them and finish the plays.

“I’m very proud to be a part of this team because we’re united. When push comes to shove, we fight back and give all our effort to accomplish one objective: win.”

In the semifinals, the Scorpions defeated SMU. TSC goalkeeper Andrew Flores was in goal for the Scorpions in the PK series against the Mustangs, and forward José Pardillo tallied the game-winning penalty kick.