Angelina College’s Josue Salazar was inches – and four seconds – away from notching a hat trick for the Roadrunners.
Instead, Laredo College keeper Gonzalo Santa managed to edge Salazar away from what would have been the game-tying header, sealing a 3-2 win for the Palominos, the third-place team in Region XIV, Saturday at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin.
The loss marked the eighth Roadrunner defeat this season by two goals or fewer.
The ending capped a thriller featuring a defensive battle in the first half followed by second-half fireworks. Neither team could break through over the first 45 minutes, leaving the match in a scoreless draw at the break.
Laredo changed the scoreless status just 90 seconds into the second half: Palomino Rodave Murray worked his way around AC defenders to score his first of two goals.
The Roadrunners nearly answered 30 seconds later when Santiago Maya’s shot attempt from inside the box – and in front of an open net – glanced off the top of his foot.
Laredo’s Murray headed home his second score in the 54th minute for the 2-0 Laredo lead. AC’s Salazar got the ‘Runners on the board by winning a header in the box, but Laredo answered three minutes later, with Murray having a hand in the score. His shot attempt in the 59th minute deflected back to teammate Tedi Lesi, who knocked it home.
Salazar brought AC to within a goal at 3-2 with a left-footer from distance, and the Roadrunners mounted a furious charge in the game’s final minutes, only to come up short.
The Roadrunners will host their home finale Tuesday night against Jacksonville as part of a women’s/men’s doubleheader. The Lady Roadrunners kick off at 5:30 and the Roadrunners at 7:30. Both AC teams will celebrate Sophomore Night festivities prior to each game.
