Playing it safe

In order to comply with the school’s emergency regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the UTRGV Men’s Soccer Club has suspended all activities, including practices, effective immediately.

During their last game, the Vaqueros fell short 2-1 against Sam Houston State University on March 7 for an overall record of 1-1.

The team tied for second place in the South Conference along with Trinity University after just playing one game Feb. 15 against the University of the Incarnate Word, which the Vaqueros won 3-0.

Alejandro Garcia, a graduate student in accounting who serves as the club’s president, said it is important to be safe.

“You work hard throughout the other months, you prepare for the season even before school starts, and then it is unfortunate that something that you are preparing for gets put on hold,” Garcia said. “The next step for now is [to] try and stay safe.

“I have been in contact with the players and we try and provide the most guidance on how to react to the situation based on what the university is giving to us.”

The club’s president also said he encourages his team, the fans and the rest of the student community to use this time off from all activities to focus on school and its transition to online.

“We don’t know when we’re gonna be able to go back into the field and get together,” Garcia said. “The main part is staying at home and to be safe to prevent spreading the virus and just focusing on school. Now that there was a change … all the classes, or most of them, are … online. Therefore, the students [and] players have to adjust to the way they’re gonna take their classes.”

Despite the situation, he said he hopes the team can return to the field this summer.

“Hopefully, by the summer we have time to talk to the team and bring ideas, refresh our memory and start planning the Fall 2020 season,” Garcia said.