Roadrunners Soar Into Semifinals -

A soccer player in a blue uniform jumps to kick the ball as a goalkeeper in a green jersey dives to block it.

Roadrunners Soar Into Semifinals

Relentless AC Attack Downs Jacksonville

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

After having every attack turned away throughout the first half, the Angelina College Roadrunner soccer team had every right to experience at least a little frustration.

Instead, the ‘Runners found another attack gear in the second half.

Trailing 1-0 with 20 minutes elapsed in the second frame, the Roadrunners reeled off four goals in 11 minutes to knock off Jacksonville College by a 4-1 final in Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex in Lufkin.

Diego Ramirez, Leeyon Phelan, Rolando Gallegos and Kanta Maruyama each scored goals for the ‘Runners, with Angel Benitez collecting two assists. Keeper Harrison Bond finished the match with five saves as AC shut down the Jaguars in the final 36 minutes of play.

The teams spent nearly the entirety of the first half at midfield, with both defenses controlling the action. The first half ended in a scoreless draw, but the next 45 minutes offered plenty of fireworks.

The Jaguars scored the match’s first goal on a header in the 54^th minute, but that would be their last celebration. Ramirez ripped a ball into the net from outside the box to draw the teams even in the 65^th minute, and Phelan headed a ball between two defenders for a 2-1 lead with just under 16 minutes to play.

Two minutes later, Gallegos offered a spectacular display of footwork on a breakaway goal, winding his way around both a defender and the Jaguar keeper to put AC up by a 3-1 score.

Maruyama capped the scoring within the next 83 seconds, getting a happy bounce off his attempt off a Benitez long pass. Maruyama’s attempt hit the upright but managed to carom inside the net.

The win launches the Roadrunners (6-3-2) into the semifinal round. AC will host Paris Junior College at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex.

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

Photo captions:

Leeyon Phelan Shot:

Angelina College’s Leeyon Phelan (29) attempts a shot during Thursday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action at the AC campus. The Roadrunners advanced to the conference semifinals with a 4-1 win over Jacksonville College. (Maryane Pala photo for AC Athletics)

Ethan Narvaez Shot:

Angelina College’s Ethan Narvaez (24) goes airborne for a shot attempt during Thursday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action at the AC campus. The Roadrunners advanced to the conference semifinals with a 4-1 win over Jacksonville College. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Athletics)

Diego Ramirez:

A soccer player in a blue uniform kicks the ball toward a leaping goalkeeper in bright green.

Angelina College’s Diego Ramirez (9) battles a defender and the goalkeeper for a shot attempt during Thursday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action at the AC campus. The Roadrunners advanced to the conference semifinals with a 4-1 win over Jacksonville College. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Athletics)

Rolando Gallegos:

A soccer player in a light blue uniform dribbles a ball toward a goalkeeper in bright green.

Rolando Gallegos (17) of Angelina College winds his way through the defense for a goal during Thursday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action at the AC campus. The Roadrunners advanced to the conference semifinals with a 4-1 win over Jacksonville College. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Athletics)