UHV to host Texas College in RRAC opener

The UHV men's soccer team will look to build off a two-match win streak when it opens Red River Athletic Conference play Thursday at home against Texas College.

The Jaguars (2-0-1) are coming off an 8-0 win over Wiley College on Sept. 7 in which five different players got on the scoresheet. Mateo Canales had a career day, scoring a hat trick on three shots.

"We wanted to use our non-conference games to prepare for a tough conference schedule," said head coach Adrian Rigby. "Our team played well in non-conference and hopefully we can challenge for a conference title."

With the win over Wiley, the Jaguars have gone unbeaten in 16 of their last 17 regular season matches, winning 11 and losing only once.

UHV's offense has been relentless through three matches, scoring 12 goals on 54 shots. The 12 goals ranks third in the RRAC while the Jaguars' 18 shots per game leads the conference.

Canales and freshman forward Einar Rolfsen share the conference lead in goals scored with three each. Rolfsen, a native of Gjerdrum, Norway, scored the opening goal against Wiley, marking his third consecutive match with a goal. He currently ranks second in the conference with 14 total shots.

Canales, Rolfsen and Diby Kouassi each rank fifth in the RRAC with six points. Kouassi has scored two goals with two assist so far this season.

"It's been good to see these guys step up early, especially our new guys," Rigby said. "Einar has done well in his role as a striker and Diby has been really dynamic when he's on the field."

In addition to the Jaguars' offensive success, sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Kaeppeli's 0.80 goals against average ranks fourth in the conference.

Texas College enters Thursday with a 1-1-0 record after a win over Southwestern Adventist on Sunday.

This will be the ninth meeting all-time between the Jaguars and Steers with UHV holding a 6-0-2 edge. UHV won the last meeting in Victoria 2-0 in 2021.