The UTPB Men's Soccer team (1-3) returns from Colorado to open up Heartland Conference play this week with a home match-up with the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds and the West Texas A&M Buffs.

Last Thursday at Adams State, UTPB earned their first win of the season 4-3.  UTPB had a 2-0 lead at half time on the strength of goals by Hector Jimenez and Santi Morales.  Adams State fought back with 3 goals within the first 13:18 of the second half to grab the lead.  UTPB would not quit with Oscar Canela tying the score.  Then with under 10 minutes to play, Morales converted on a penalty kick to retake the lead 4-3, which would hold for the final.

UTPB then traveled to Pueblo, Colo. to take on Colorado State – Pueblo.  The game was a defensive struggle until Dominik Huetgens finished a rebound at the 80:51 mark to give Pueblo the lead and the win.

UTPB Statistical Leaders
Goals: Santi Morales (2), four tied with one goal
Assists: Santi Morales (2), Jorge Murillo (1)

UTPB opens up Heartland Conference play against Eastern New Mexico at home Thursday night at 7 p.m.  ENM opened up the season at home with a pair of wins over Southern Nazarene and Oklahoma Baptist.  They too had a road trip to Colo. to take on Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foes.  On Thursday they faced off with #21 Colorado Mesa.  ENM scored first before Colorado Mesa scored at the 85:24 mark to tie the game and force overtime.  Just three minutes into overtime they would score again for a 2-1 victory for Colorado Mesa.

They then took on Fort Lewis.  ENM scored first and held a 1-0 half time lead.  Fort Lewis would tie the game on a penalty kick from Nicolas Perez.  Then with just seven seconds left, Fort Lewis found the back of the net for the stunning 2-1 win.  Through four games ENM is led in scoring by Lucas Vaz and Gabriel Peres who each have a pair of goals out of the team's seven total.

On Saturday, West Texas A&M comes to Odessa for a conference match-up.  On the season WT is 2-0-1, with the tie against #21 Colorado Mesa.  Last week WT won a pair of home games.  They first defeated Colorado State – Pueblo 3-1.  Despite Pueblo scoring first, Julio Vargas completed a hat trick to give WT the 3-1 win. 
WT was relentless in defeating Southwest (N.M.) by a score of 7-0.  Callum Challinor, Liam Doyle and Lucca Lima each knocked in two goals apiece.  WT only allowed one shot on goal and two shots total. 

WT defeated Southern Nazarene 6-0 Monday night.  Vargas had his second hat trick of the season as part of a five goal first half.  WT opens their Heartland Conference schedule in Lubbock against Lubbock Christian Thursday night.  They are led offensively by Vargas and Challinor, each with three goals. 

You can follow all UTPB men's soccer action via our live stats of every game, or follow us on Facebook at UTPB Athletics or Twitter @utpbfalcons.