Stephen Gutierrez EDINBURG – UTRGV men’s soccer entered its first season of conference play in the Ohio Valley Conference, with a 2-2-2 record.
Elias Taj, junior forward, said he feels the team has learned from its first five games.
“I think we started off very good,” he said. “We’re strong, and, I think, like, we definitely have been improving.”
One of those improvements was seen in a match against University of South Florida where the Vaqueros shut out the bulls 5-0.
The junior forward recorded his first career brace, along with two assists earning offensive player of the week by College Soccer News.
He was also honored as a forward on the national team of the week by Top Drawer Soccer.
However, Taj said his performance was not a solo accomplishment.
“I think South Florida was like a team effort,” he said. “Obviously one guy gets something, but that doesn’t happen without a team.”
Men’s soccer will have its first three conference matches at home, giving the group the chance to build momentum and display their growth to the valley.
However, the match ups are set to be played in the evening, compared to their previous morning matches — something Taj said will be different for the team.
Click the video above to continue the full story.
