NMT Soccer Miners to Host the Big Show in Socorro

Right: Senior defender Pete Munk wins the ball from an ASU Sundevil, as freshman Yasik Baker looks on. The Miners may have a chance to avenge the loss against ASU during the NIRSA regional tournament Oct 27-28.

By Paul Fuierer

SOCORRO, N.M., Oct. 19, 2007 – Soccer lovers won’t want to miss the action coming to the New Mexico Tech campus Oct. 27 and 28. The NMT Miners will be hosting the NIRSA collegiate soccer southwest regional tournament, featuring five other universities; New Mexico State, University of Texas, El Paso, Northern Arizona, University of Arizona, and Arizona State. It will be the largest, highest-level sports event ever to hit Socorro. Over 120 collegiate athletes, along with team coaches and support fans will be hoping their team finishes victorious. The regional winner will win a bid to the NIRSA National Championship tournament (to be held in Pensacola, FL, Nov 16-18).

The Tech Miners are hoping to star in their own “Cinderella Story” as they enter the tournament in last place. Though the Miners played some very close games against their larger school rivals, they have not been able to manage a win this season. The best they could do was a 2-2 tie against NAU in a Durango tournament, which did not count in conference standings. Particularly hard-fought and heart-breaking matches included a 2-1 loss to UTEP and a 1-0 loss to NAU at home Sept. 29 and 30.

The Miners have shined during a few brilliant halves, but unfortunately have not been able to put two together to win a game. Last weekend in Tempe, AZ, the Miners played a strong first half against powerhouse UoA, creating several goal-scoring opportunities with a greater number of shots on goal. But nobody was able to put the ball in the net, and the defense crumbled in the second half to finish the game 0-6.

UoA comes to the tournament ranked first in the conference, second in Region 6 (western United States), and last year they finished third in the nation. UTEP was recently ranked ninth in the region. In order to beat these talent-loaded teams, the Miners must do everything right in their preparation, and also get a little lucky during the game.

The first game of the tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, and features NMSU vs. UTEP. The Miners’ first game takes place at 12 noon against Northern Arizona University (NAU). If the Miners win, they must face the ultra fast ASU team in the semifinal at 4 p.m. that same day. Consolation games will be Sunday morning, with the championship game at 2 p m . All games are at the Tech athletic field, and admission is free.

This Saturday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m., the Miners play a light-hearted game in the annual 49er Alumni Match. For more info, visit the Miner webpage at http://infohost.nmt.edu/~soccer/Welcome.html

-NMT-