EDINBURG - "We are going up there to win it," said Eloy Moran, optimistic coach of the winless University of Texas-Pan American soccer team, going into the Sun Belt Conference Championships.

"We really don't have anything to lose," Moran continued before the Broncs left to begin the five-team, three-day tournament at 4 p.m. Friday agaisnt the host team, Arkansas-Little Rock.

The Broncs have lost all 11 games this year, many of them close.

"I think we have a good chance against UALR Friday," Moran said. "They beat us 1-0 in Little Rock (on Oct.1) but they have changed fields for the conference tournament. They usually play on a narrow field. A wider field would help us."

Except for goalie Michael Lozano, a freshman from McAllen, UTPA is in good shape physically. Lozano was feared to have a broken middle finger but X-rays revealed it was severe ligament strain.

"I hope the swelling in Michael's hand goes down," Moran said. "We have to secure the goal first and foremost. That's why we are taking three goalies."

Albert Flores, junior from Corpus Christi, and Marcelo Paredes, sophomore from Edinburg, are the other two goalkeepers.

"I know the players have so many doubts, because of our record," Moran said. "We want to make sure they have positive attitude. We'll try to focus on this game Friday as the big one."

UALR's Trojans own a 3-11-3 record. The other pairings pit Western Kentucky (8-10) against Jacksonville (7-8-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday, then top-seeded South Alabama (16-2-2) against the UTPA-UALR winner at 1 p.m. Saturday. Friday's loser is out.

Third place will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, then the finals at 1 p.m.

The Broncs have been outscored 41-11 in their 11 games. Mario Ribera and Reynaldo Cisneros tie for the team lead with three goals each. Alector Cardenas has two. Lozano's goal-against average is 3.56 and Flores' 3.67. Paredes gave up three goals in a half for 6.0.