College soccer: Carrillo makes quick strike with Falcons

There’s no place like home.

Erik Carrillo received an offer to play soccer for Tri-State University, an NCAA Division III school in Angola, Ind.

He turned it down to attend UTPB instead, and it is beginning to look like that decision might have been a wise one.

The Midland High graduate has two goals and an assist for UTPB (2-3 overall) this season. The Falcons have scored five goals.

“I didn’t know how I’d adjust to (moving to Indiana),” he said, “so I chose to stay here close to home.”

UTPB coach Dennis Peterson first noticed him when Carrillo’s club team played a scrimmage against the Falcons last season.

“I kept tabs on him after that, and I went and watched some of his matches,” Peterson said. “Between me and his folks, we were able to convince him to come here. I knew right away we had someone special.”

Carrillo has started from the get-go and has had a lot of success in his budding college career.

“I knew when he came in he would get a lot of playing time and contribute,” Peterson said, “but he has clicked with a lot of the returners. It’s like he fit in perfect. He can play multiple positions. He has been playing center midfielder, but he can also play forward.”

Carrillo scored his first goal in his first collegiate game, a 2-1 loss to West Texas A&M. He also scored a goal and added an assist in a 2-1 overtime victory over Texas A&M Inter-national.

“I was very surprised I scored in my first game,” he said. “I didn’t expect to play this much.”

As Carrillo continues to adjust to the speed and skill level of college soccer, he hopes UTPB can continue to record wins to improve on last season’s 7-8-2 mark.

“I’m hoping, of course, to go beyond last year’s record and have a good result,” Carrillo said.

If UTPB wants to improve on last season’s 7-8-2 mark, then the Falcons will need to play better than they did in a 1-0 loss at home to Howard Payne on Tuesday.

“It was just one of those games,” Peterson said. “We couldn’t find the back of the net. We will be OK. We had a team meeting, and I think we have our heads on straight.”

THE BASICS

>> What: UTPB vs. St. Edward’s

>> When: 1 p.m. Friday

>> Where: UTPB soccer field