By Christopher Wuensch
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday October 11, 2002
For those of you suffering from that post-World Cup hangover, your men's soccer needs have been answered.
This weekend the Arizona men's club soccer team looks to extend its unbeaten season to 10-0 when they take on Thunderbird International Business College and archrival Arizona State in Tempe. UA will be one of six teams competing tomorrow and Sunday in the South Western Conference Tournament hosted by Arizona State University.
Arizona is currently No. 2 in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, (NIRSA).
For Arizona, the tournament serves as a stepping-stone for the remainder of the season.
"Every game is important, but this weekend we will be trying to solidify our play for the regionals," said Will Yokubaitus, team captain and president. "This is the best team I've been on in my four years here. Our goal this year is to keep up the tradition of doing well in the nationals and challenge BYU for the championship."
Brigham Young University is the current defending NIRSA champion.
"Our game plan this weekend is to win the corners, convert nice crossings and play a tough defense," head coach David Hunter said.
Recently UA swept a weekend series by beating Northern Arizona and Thunderbird College. Both games were decided by a score of 2-1. In the NAU match, Yokubaitus tallied for both Arizona goals.
But the true test is yet to come.
Next weekend Arizona will host in the NIRSA sub-regional tournament. The top two teams will advance to play in the regional tournament in Las Vegas.
"Winning the tournament is our goal, but we should be invited to play in Las Vegas based on our record alone," Hunter said.
As for right now the focus remains on this weekend's match-up with ASU in Diablo Stadium.
"I haven't lost to ASU yet and I don't intend to now," said junior mid-fielder and striker Mychal Sierra.
"This weekend we want to beat the hell out of ASU," added Yokubaitus.
The men's club soccer team plays its home games at Rincon Vista field located at 501 S. Plummer. UA will play three games during the sub-regional tournament. The first game in the sub-regional tournament will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday October 19 at Rincon Vista.