EDINBURG - Lack of offense, penalties and even ejections en masse harassed the University of Texas-Pan American Broncs' soccer team last week as they head into a pair of home games this weekend.

The Broncs face St. Edward's University and Trinity University, both for the second time this season, on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Kickoff time for each match is 2 p.m. at the university soccer field on the southeast end of the campus. Attendance is free.

UT Pan American's record sank to 3-6-1 after dropping three road matches to Hardin-Simmons University, 3-0; Houston Baptist University , 3-2; and Trinity, 1-0.

"We had our opportunites against Trinity but we just didn't put the ball in," third-year Coach Eloy Moran said. 

The Broncs took 15 shots as Trinity decided the game on a penalty kick with 10 minutes left.

"It was a hand ball in the penalty area," Moran recalled. "Trinity took a shot at an open net after a rebound and the ball hit Reveriano Hernandez at the line."

Three Broncs, Salvador Garcia, Pedro Diaz and Hunter Jorgensen, were unceremoniously ejected over the course of the game with Hardin-Simmons. UT Pan American had only eight players on the field for the final 30 minutes of the 3-0 loss.

NCAA soccer rules automatically suspend any player who is ejected from one game for another game. That meant the Broncs had only 12 players in uniform for the Houston Baptist match.

"We only had 12 guys and everyone was bandaged up with some kind of injury except me," claimed goalie Fredy Sanguinetti.

Damien Morguia's fourth goal of the season put the Broncs on top, 1-0, on a penalty kick but the Broncs failed to convert another penalty opportunity, gave up three second half goals and lost the game to Houston Baptist 3-2.

"We have to rebound," Moran said. "If we don't win the next two games, it's going to be hard to reach .500. I really expected more from the team after finishing second at the St. Edward's Tournament."