Greetings from Melbourne, Florida, where the Roadrunner men’s soccer team are participating in the NJCAA Division I National Championship. The soccer tournament uses pool play, so there’s no way yet to predict how long the ‘Runners will be here. Hopefully, they’ll still be here playing for a title on Saturday despite a loss on Sunday.
Here’s a quick rundown of this past week in AC Athletics:
AC Soccer:
The week actually began this past Tuesday, when both AC soccer teams sat in on the NJCAA’s Selection Show watch party held on the AC campus. The Lady Roadrunners received heartbreak news: In the field of 12 teams to play for a title on the women’s side, AC’s ladies were one spot back because of a round of upsets in regional tournaments around the nation. The Lady ‘Runners finish their 2022 season with a ton of team and individual records to go with a 15-3-1 record – with all three losses coming to the No. 1 team in the nation.
The Roadrunners got the good news when the committed flashed the “Angelina” banner as the 10th overall seed. AC landed in Pool C with Jefferson College and Monroe College.
On Sunday, AC’s men kicked off their tournament in Melbourne, Florida – but only after a three-hour storm delay. Then the Roadrunners and Monroe battled to a scoreless draw after regulation play and two full overtime periods, leaving the match to penalty kicks in a shootout.
There, AC’s men fell 3-2 on the PKs.
The Roadrunners face Jefferson College at 3 p.m. on Monday, and Jefferson and Monroe will wrap up Pool C play on Tuesday. That’s when the ‘Runners will learn whether they’re still in the fight or headed back home.
Roadrunner Basketball:
The Roadrunner men hosted Strength ‘N Motion on Wednesday, with AC taking an 82-47 win at Shands Gymnasium. Nehikare Igiehon notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the team. Michael Hogg and Hugi Halgrimsson added 11 points each; Xavier Owens and Daniel Sanchez scored 10 each.
AC then squared off with some tough competition in the East/West Challenge in Plano, with the ‘Runners losing to 76-50 to Western Texas College and 80-45 to Odessa College
The Roadrunners will host Loyola Prep at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Shands Gymnasium.
Lady Roadrunner Basketball:
AC’s ladies still haven’t played at home since the home opener on Nov. 1. The Lady ‘Runners this week participated in the Herb Richardson Classic in Tyler and split their two games: AC beat Baton Rouge Community College 80-48 on Friday but fell 76-56 to Collin County College on Saturday.
The Lady Roadrunners will host the Angelina Classic starting Friday at Shands Gymnasium. AC will play LSU-Eunice at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and McLennan Community College at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
