Scorpions defeat UTRGV in season finale, remain undefeated

TSC Scorpions men's soccer club forward Jose "Chevy" Echavarria scores on a bicycle kick during TSC's 3-2 victory over UTRGV Oct. 12, 2019 at Edinburg. Echavarria scored a hat-trick in the Scorpions win.

The Texas Southmost College Scorpions men’s soccer club came back to defeat the University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley 3-2 in the orange-and-blue’s regular-season finale Oct. 12 in Edinburg to finish undefeated for the second consecutive season.

Scorpions men's soccer club players, fans, Texas Southmost College administration and staff celebrate the club's 3-2 victory over UTRGV Oct. 12, 2019 at Edinburg.

Scorpions striker José “Chevy” Echavarria scored a hat-trick to lead TSC to the non-conference victory over UTRGV. With the win, TSC improved to 7-0-0 for 21 points overall in the Texas Collegiate Soccer League South Conference.

A week earlier, the Scorpions defeated the University of Texas-San Antonio 6-0 to win the TCSL South Conference title and earn a berth in the NIRSA Region IV South Tournament in Dallas.

“I’m grateful to TSC, the TSC Board of Trustees and the TSC President for the opportunity to coach the team this year and for all their support this season,” said Mario Zamora, Scorpions men’s soccer club head coach. “The players gave it their all for seven games and we finished undefeated. The other team was a worthy opponent. This game was a test for us that fortunately we passed. I spoke to the players at halftime for being down in the score. I told them that we had to solve this today, not Monday or Tuesday, but today in the next 45 minutes, and they did it in the best way.”

The match against UTRGV was a back-and-forth battle with the Scorpions missing several first-half opportunities to score. Eventually, it was the Vaqueros that opened up the scoring on a goal by midfielder Brandon “Edu” Rangel with two minutes left in the half to give the home side a 1-0 lead going into the intermission.

TSC came out looking for the equalizer at the onset of the second half and it didn’t take long for Scorpions forward Echavarria to find the back of the net when he scored in the opening five minutes to tie up the match 1-all.

Echavarria struck again in the 62nd minute when he received a pass with chest and his back against the net. The ball popped in the air and the skillful forward bicycle kicked a shot between the UTRGV goalkeeper and the left post to give TSC a 2-1 lead.

Both clubs continued to battle up and down the field until the Vaqueros drew a penalty kick in the 70th minute. UTRGV’s Rangel scored the PK for his second goal of the match.

With the score knotted up at 2-all and the minutes waning, Echavarria made another appearance. This time, the striker took flight and headed a shot past the Vaqueros’ keeper to give the Scorpions a 3-2 victory and ensure TSC’s second straight undefeated regular season.

“It was the last resort (bicycle kick), I couldn’t turn around and it was that or nothing, and it worked out,” said Echavarria. “It feels great (to win). It’s going to benefit the whole team and motivate us for the regional finals in two weeks.”

The Scorpions will travel to the University of Texas-Dallas in Richardson and compete in the regional finals Oct. 25-27 for a bid to the NIRSA National Championship.

For more Information about the Scorpions men’s soccer club at TSC, call (956) 295-3709.