Cold-Hearted Cortes and Stallions Heat Up Rivalry Night: NAU Men's Soccer Strikes Back
Written By Rev. Justin C. Jackson | Only on Clutch Sports Network, and affiliate of The Antler Sports Network
It's the kind of week every team remembers — one game of heartbreak, one game of redemption. The North American University Men's Soccer team faced Southwest on October 9th in Houston and battled hard, but ultimately fell 2–1 in a contest that tested their mettle.
The Stallions weren't lacking effort. Senior Eric Landaverde found the back of the net late in the first half off a crisp feed from Pedro Ortega, but Southwest's precision finishing — two strikes from Nicolas Amparan in a 3-minute span — left NAU just short. The team dominated possession in the second half, outshooting Southwest 12–2, but couldn't crack the keeper again.
The sting of that loss could have lingered. Instead, it lit a fire.
October 11, 2025 — Rivalry Redemption vs Texas College
Two days later, NAU took the field against in-state rival Texas College — a matchup that meant more than just three points. It meant pride, legacy, and the roar of Stallion Nation.
Enter Denalie "Corazón Frío" Cortes, the super-sub with nerves of ice and a killer instinct in the box. Coach Dane Smith unleashed his off the bench, and he immediately went to work, slicing in and out of defenders like a dagger. As the On Clutch broadcast called it live:
De'nalie Cortes setting in the Dunker's Spot — locked and loaded for a put-back!" "Corazón Frío 4 Goallllllllllllll"
Seconds later, it was reality. Cortes found a pocket at the back post and hammered home the opener off assists from Alejandro Perez and Pedro Ortega. A textbook "cold-blooded" finish.
The Stallions didn't stop there. Ortega orchestrated the second goal in the 86th minute, threading a perfect feed to Wilman Landaverde, who set up Pedro for the finish. The mid-field maestro had the offense humming, controlling the tempo, and making sure Texas College knew exactly who was running this game.
Meanwhile, Gino Burioni was a fortress in net, recording the clean sheet and making critical saves that kept the Stallions' momentum intact. Defense, midfield, and attack — the balance was perfect.
Attendance again left a little to be desired — 128 fans watched the show — but for those in the stands, it was a masterclass in rivalry soccer. NAU came out with grit, poise, and heart… literally Corazón Frío on display.
PLAYER(S) OF THE WEEK — STALLION TRIO
| Name |
Position / Class |
Highlight Performance |
RRAC Nomination |
| Denalie "Corazón Frío" Cortes |
RW / Sub |
Came off the bench, sliced through the defense, and hammered home the opening goal in a clutch rebound put-back. |
— |
| Gino Burioni |
Goalkeeper |
Anchored the defense with critical saves and recorded a clean sheet in the rivalry win. |
RRAC Defensive Player of the Week |
| Pedro Ortega |
Midfielder |
Midfield maestro — created Denalie's strike and orchestrated the second goal with precision and poise. |
RRAC Offensive Player of the Week |
Final Word
From a narrow loss to Southwest to a rivalry statement win over Texas College, the Stallions showed that when the chips are down, NAU rises up — cold, calculated, and lethal.
Get your hooves up, Stallion Nation — Corazón Frío is in the building, Gino is guarding the fortress, and Pedro is running the show. Rivalry night belongs to us.
Next Up: LSU Alexandria Thursday, October 16th at 7:30 PM CDT — let's pack the stands and show the world what NAU pride looks like.
