UVI’s Buccaneers soccer squad will host Catholica in its final match of the opening round of LAI playoffs at the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. The outcome is critical to the Bucs hopes of advancing in the playoffs, especially since the team suffered a 2-1 loss to InterAmerican in play last week in Puerto Rico.
“If we win, we go to the quarterfinals,” said Head Coach David Santesteban. A win would also ensure that the Bucs play at least one more home match, according to Santesteban. So far, the Bucs have no wins, two ties and two losses in the first round of playoffs. They are 4-5-3 on the season, including playoff action. Just eight teams will qualify for the quarterfinals. Even without a win, the Bucs could still make it into the quarterfinals, depending on the outcome other remaining playoff matches. The quarterfinal matches begin next week.
“The team is ready to work hard to take a win at home,” Santesteban said. He also encouraged the UVI community and all soccer fans to come out Saturday to show support for the squad.
As an extra draw, two special, half-time soccer challenges are planned for UVI students. One challenge is for a student to kick a goal from the half line (with no goalie). The second is for a student to hit the goal’s cross bar with a kick from the half line. The winner of each challenge will receive a $25 gift card to the UVI Bookstore or Cafeteria. Students must sign up for the challenge at the match by 11 a.m. to be eligible.
2014 LAI Soccer Playoff Opening Round
- Oct. 29 – UVI vs UPR-Mayaguez – 0-0 tie
- Nov. 1 – UPR Arecibo vs UVI – 1-1 tie
- Nov. 4 – UVI vs Turabo – 1 p.m. at Humacao – ZZZ - loss
- Nov. 8 – Catolica vs UVI – 1 p.m. at UVI – rain out
- Nov. 10 – UVI vs Inter American – 11 a.m. at UIPR – 2-1 loss
- Nov. 15 – Catolica vs UVI – 11 a.m. at UVI