Lady Roadrunners Upset No. 13 Navarro -

Soccer players in orange and blue jerseys pose with spectators holding signs on stadium bleachers.

Lady Roadrunners Upset No. 13 Navarro

AC Wins Shootout in Regional Quarterfinal

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

Just a few weeks ago, there was a question as to whether the injury-plagued Angelina College Lady Roadrunner soccer team would even qualify for the postseason.

Not only has the team qualified, it’s advanced.

The Lady ‘Runners shocked No. 13 Navarro College Tuesday in Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus, winning the match when AC goalkeeper Samuela Valeri stuffed Navarro’s final penalty kick.

The ensuing celebration had been brewing all night, with fans rushing the pitch to mob the team immediately after Valeri’s stop.

After trailing 1-0 at the end of the first half, the Lady Roadrunners got a goal from Aundrea Barreiro in the 64^th minute to even the score. The Lady Bulldogs regained the lead in the 72^nd minute, but three minutes later, AC’s Beatriz Almeida smashed home an equalizer to send the match into overtime.

Under the NJCAA postseason rules, teams play two overtime periods, but the “golden goal” is in play.

Neither team found the gold despite the two extra periods, setting up a thriller of a shootout.

Navarro’s first attempt caromed off the crossbar, and AC’s Almeida and Madelyn Huebel were true on their attempts. The Lady Bulldogs would convert their next two shots, and after an AC misfire, Navarro’s next attempt sailed high. Olivia Loyola found the net to give the edge to the Lady ‘Runners, and Valeri then made a diving stop to her left to send the Lady Roadrunners into the semifinal round.

AC will travel to Athens on Friday to face No. 9 Trinity Valley Community College. The match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff on the TVCC campus.

The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Photo captions:

Beatriz Almeida Score:

A soccer player in an orange jersey jumps to kick the ball as a goalkeeper in light blue slides to block the shot.

Angelina College’s Beatriz Almeida (7) smashes home the tying goal during Tuesday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal match at AC. The Lady Roadrunners upset No. 13 Navarro College, winning the match in a shootout. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Athletics)

Samuela Valeri Save:

A soccer goalkeeper in a yellow jersey dives to block a ball in front of the net.

Angelina College goalkeeper Samuela Valeri stuffs the final penalty kick attempt from Navarro College, leaving the Lady Roadrunners with the upset win over the Lady Bulldogs in Region XIV Conference Tournament action at AC. The Lady ‘Runners advance to Friday’s semifinals against No. 9 Trinity Valley Community College. (Maryane Pala photo for AC Athletics)

Fan Celebration:

Soccer players in orange and blue jerseys posing with fans on stadium bleachers at night.

Fans celebrate with the team after the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners pulled off an upset of No. 13 Navarro College in Tuesday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action on the AC campus. The Lady ‘Runners advanced to the conference semifinals after beating Navarro in a shootout. (Maryane Pala photo for AC Athletics)