SEGUIN – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley men's soccer team faces St. Edward's for an exhibition match on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Gufstafson Field on the campus of Texas Lutheran.
 
It's UTRGV's fourth friendly of the spring and first against a collegiate team after falling to the Houston Dynamo 5-0 and RGV FC 2-1 and beating a team of alumni 4-2.
 
The alumni match was more than just a match; it was a special day for UTRGV.
 
"The alumni game was a lot of fun," UTRGV head coach Paul Leese said. "It gave us a chance to reconnect with the guys who got college soccer started in the Rio Grande Valley. It's nice to see them again and find out how they're doing. One of the things I like to do is share with them what our current team is up to. They get to see first hand the type of young people we're bringing into the program and get a chance to connect."
 
St. Edward's reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II Tournament last season and led the NCAA in shutout percentage for the second-straight season at .682. St. Edward's finished the season with 15 shutouts in 22 matches and had eight All-Americans and the NSCAA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
UTRGV played St. Edward's to a scoreless tie in a fall exhibition.
 
"Certainly we have a tremendous advantage having the local pro team here, RGV FC, and getting to play them and the Houston Dynamo earlier this spring. It's a fantastic challenge for the players and the level we're trying to aspire to," Leese said. "One of the things about playing the college programs, and St. Edward's is a very strong college program, is it also makes us refocus on what is important for our own intensity. Sometimes players feel like they can get up for a big game. They may feel a college team now is not necessarily a big game, so I think it helps with our mental preparation and certainly our focus within the game. I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be a very competitive game and there are still many things that we need to learn and work on with our student-athletes."

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