Dennis Peterson enters his 23rd season in charge of UTPB Men’s Soccer since taking over in 2000.
The Falcons reached the Lone Star Conference playoffs for the first time in 2021 after winning two of their final three games, including on a wild final day of the regular season.
Peterson led the Falcons to their first winning season since joining the LSC in the spring of 2021. The Falcons tied for the second best scoring average in the league and had the second most saves in the league. In the final game of the regular season the Falcons scored four goals in the second half and overtime for a thrilling comeback win over Lubbock Christian. The Falcons finished fourth in the LSC and just missed the postseason due to a goal differential tiebreaker. Ollie Grundy was named to the All-Conference Third Team and All-Academic Team. Gustavo Barroso and Rodrigo Rogatto also earned All-Conference Third Team honors while Matias Pereira was named to the All-Freshman Team.
In 2019, the team improved their win total by three games and were Falcons competitive against some of the top competition in Division II. The Falcons finished the season with points in four of their final five home events.
The Falcons took to new heights in 2017 when they posted the best record in the program’s NCAA history going 9-7-2 to make the Heartland Conference Championships. The Falcons finished the season hot winning six of their final seven regular season games. Senior Brandon Lee scored 14 goals and was named Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Year while making the All-Conference First Team. Stefan Faria would be named All-Conference Second Team after scoring five goals.
From 2013-15 Peterson coached Nathan Cotterell who would set the record for most goals in UTPB history with 36 including a school record 15 in 2013. The 2013 season would be a banner year for the Falcons as they finished 8-9-1 and scored 36 goals in a season, the most in program history. Cotterell would be the first Falcon to earn Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2014.
In addition to coaching the men’s team, Peterson also coached the UTPB Women’s Soccer Team from 2003-2012. As the women’s coach, Peterson had one Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Year, one Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year, six All-Conference First Team members and 10 All-Conference Second Team members. Many records from his time as coach still stand today.
He is a two-time Coach of the Year recipient, in 2005 for the men’s team in the Red River Athletic Conference and 2007 for the women’s team in the Heartland Conference. In 2005, the Falcons won the Red River Conference while still members of the NAIA.
Peterson has also had a successful club career coaching. Over the years he has won the Sandia Cup, San Diego Surf Cup, International Friendship Cup, San Antonio Classic while competing in the medal rounds of the USA Cup and Pikes Peak tournaments.
