Jags square off with Xavier (La.) in RRAC Quarterfinal

For roughly the last month, the UHV women's soccer team has played with a heightened level of confidence.

That confidence showed two weeks ago in a narrow 1-0 loss to then-Red River Athletic Conference frontrunner and defending regular season champion Xavier (La.). The Jaguars knew they could keep up with one of the league's best teams.

Now, UHV (11-5-0, 8-5-0) will get a second chance at the Gold Nuggets (11-5-1, 10-2-1) in the RRAC Quarterfinals at 11 a.m. Thursday at Lafreniere Park in Metairie, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. The Jaguars are the No. 6-seed while Xavier is the No. 3-seed.

"We're there," said senior forward Estelle Flanagan. "We just needed to fix a couple of things and that's what we've been doing this week to prepare for Xavier. If we do the things the coaches are asking us to do, we can get the result on Thursday."

This is the third time in the last four years the Jaguars have qualified for the eight-team conference tournament. Heading into the winner-take-all tournament, UHV understands teams can't afford any mistakes.

The Jaguars have won six of their last nine matches, including a historic 2-1 win over Our Lady of the Lake last Thursday.

"You should be full of confidence this time of year because you've earned the right to play in the conference tournament," said head coach Adrian Rigby. "Every team has the same record going into it at this point. So, we've just got to be good on the day."

UHV's defense has been a big key to their success down the stretch. In their first meeting with Xavier, the Jaguars held the Gold Nuggets to one goal despite them averaging over four goals per game at the time.

Sophomore goalkeeper Franciezca Blancaflor made four saves in the first clash, but center backs Ana Maria Munoz, a senior, and Trine Stenderup-Jorgensen, a sophomore, proved why UHV's defense is among the top in the conference, limiting Xavier to just five shots on goal.

Their leadership in the back has been pivotal to the growth of outside backs Rosa Reyes, who came to UHV as a midfielder, and freshman Yuvier Borjas.

"The difference is really big right now," Munoz said. "We've been communicating a lot and I think we're two good center backs. Then Yuvi came in as a freshman and she's been good since day one. She's fast, she's smart and Rosa, too. It's been a good combination."

UHV's striker duo of Flanagan and Kyleigh Spree-Kolos have lit up the scoreboard this year, combining for 22 goals, seven assists and 51 points this year. Spree-Kolos' 14 goals, a UHV single-season record, ranks fifth in the RRAC this season.

With a win, UHV would reach the RRAC semifinals for the third time since joining the conference in 2015.

"Pressure is a privilege," Flanagan said. "For us to be in this position and playing in the conference tournament is awesome. We're excited to be able to play this Thursday in New Orleans."