UTRGV men’s soccer seeks first-ever regular season crown
At noon Friday, in front of home fans, against Incarnate Word, UTRGV men’s soccer has an opportunity for a first-ever regular season Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title.
This is how the current WAC standings look like headed into the final round of fixtures before the WAC Tournament April 13-17 in Las Vegas:
Note: California Baptist and Dixie State are not eligible for postseason play as they are transitioning from Division II. Only the top six seeds qualify for the WAC Tournament.
Grand Canyon University, in Head Coach Shellas Hyndman’s final season after a 37-year collegiate Hall of Fame career, will have more routes available in securing the regular season title at 9 p.m. Saturday against UNLV.
If UTRGV picks up three points Friday, they will be the two-seed headed into the tournament with a first-round bye.
Yet, the Vaqueros can still leapfrog the Antelopes in the standing, but they will need some help from the Runnin’ Rebels.
San Jose State is out of contention for the regular season title as the athletics department announced Wednesday that their final match of the season against Seattle U has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Redhawks program.
The Spartans can still secure a first-round bye, but they will have to wait for results from the Vaqueros’ and Antelopes’ matches.
Here is a list of five possible scenarios Friday and Saturday that will affect Grand Canyon, UTRGV and San Jose State in the postseason standings.
Scenario 1: If UTRGV wins and Grand Canyon losses or ties.
UTRGV will earn their first conference title outright with 20 points, Grand Canyon will be the two-seed and San Jose State will be the three-seed.
Scenario 2: If both UTRGV and Grand Canyon win.
Grand Canyon will secure the regular season title, UTRGV will obtain a first-round bye and San Jose State will be the three-seed.
Scenario 3: If UTRGV ties and Grand Canyon wins or ties.
Grand Canyon will secure the regular season title, UTRGV will obtain a first-round bye and San Jose State will be the three-seed.
Scenario 4: If UTRGV ties and Grand Canyon losses.
Despite both programs having 18 points in this situation, Grand Canyon would still secure the regular season title as they hold the tiebreaker over UTRGV, a 3-2 victory over San Jose State. UTRGV would be the two-seed and San Jose State would be the three-seed.
Scenario 5: If UTRGV losses.
Grand Canyon will secure the regular season title and San Jose State would get a first-round bye as they hold the tiebreaker over UTRGV, a 4-0 win over California Baptist University.
In a news conference Wednesday via Zoom, UTRGV Head Coach Bryheem Hancock said the veterans of the squad, such as senior forward William Akio, senior midfielder Bryce Box and junior goalkeeper Trevor Schneider have kept the team focused on the task at hand headed into their last fixture, three points against Incarnate Word.
“They’re making sure that the other guys understand the importance but make sure guys are focused but relaxed,” Hancock said. “You don’t want to put too much pressure, soccer ball is the same, goal size is the same, fields size are the same.”
Hancock in his first year leading the program said the team came to him with goals at the start of preseason and as the regular season comes to an end, he primarily wants to remind them about the high standards they have set for themselves.
“This group is motivated,” Hancock said. “The goals that were set were by the players not by me, so to me it’s just letting them know, you have goals and me holding them accountable and make sure their focus is on that.”
The Vaqueros will face a slippery opponent in the Cardinals, who despite only having two wins, are averaging slightly over one goal per outing and are looking to play spoiler Friday.
Hancock pointed out the Cardinals’ attack, as the area of focus during training but is confident his team will be able to execute the game plan.
“The strength is in the front of their team,” he said. “They have wingers that are dangerous, that are tricky 1v1 guys. At times, they have their holding mid play high as one of their two forwards, big size 6’ 4”, 6’5”.”
To watch Incarnate Word vs. UTRGV and/or Grand Canyon vs. UNLV visit the WAC Digital Network.
Twitter: @Radio_Rubio
