PINE BLUFF, Ark.-With a school record 12 wins, UAPB soccer team made its mark in the state of Arkansas as well as nationally in 2009. The Lady Lions advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship.
"It was a dream season for this team," UAPB Head Coach Roberto Mazza said. "Beating teams for the first time ever, winning the conference championship for the first team ever, first winning record ever, and first time playing in the National Tournament were all amazing accomplishments for our team.”
UAPB did more than just win the conference games as they finished 2-5-3 in non-conference games, with an impressive win over Arkansas State, which was one of the biggest wins in UAPB soccer history.
The Lady Lions also won contests against, Lipscomb, Mississippi Valley State, Alabama A&M, and Jackson State for the first time in the programs history.
"It was only a short time ago this program was losing to good teams, and that should never be forgotten," Mazza said. "Winning against teams of that caliber will help us attract high-level recruits."
“We've worked hard to get this program on the map in two recruiting seasons, and just the thought of the accomplishment was thrilling. It was a gratifying moment in my life to say that we won the SWAC Championship at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. Our Athletic Director, Mr. Perkins, believed in me from the first day when he asked me what my goals were at UAPB, and I said to win a SWAC Championship.”
“Mr. Perkins has been an outstanding supporter of the Lady Lions Soccer Team. He brings his family to watch all the home games, and also travels out of state to watch games. It was a great moment in UAPB Athletics when we won against Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, and Mr. Perkins was our only fan supporting us. I have to give him a lot of credit for making things happen for us.”
Arkansas-Pine Bluff is comprised of 8 freshmen, 9 sophomores, 1 junior, and 1 senior on the 2009 roster. Mazza is excited about the emergence of this year's freshman class as well as 6 high level potential recruits that will challenge for starting positions.
"In order to attract these high level players to a program you need to show improvement and potential," said Mazza. "The results of this years work will be clearly seen in our 2010 and 2011 recruiting classes."
“We have a lot of young players here and it was a fantastic experience for them to achieve success and play in the NCAA Tournament, and we can definitely build off of this.”
The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff finished the season with a record of 12-7-4, and was the first team to claim a winning record in the programs history.
