Angelina College’s Jerissa Grimes (18) fights for possession near the goal during Friday’s season opener against Richland College. The Lady Roadrunners fell 2-1 in double overtime at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
Both Angelina College soccer teams opened their respective regular seasons against Richland College on Friday, and both the Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners suffered heartbreaking losses at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin.
The Lady Roadrunners fell 2-1 in double overtime, and the Roadrunners dropped a 2-0 decision in the nightcap.
Both AC teams will travel to Mountain View College (Dallas) on Tuesday, with the ladies kicking off at 2 p.m. and the men following at 4 p.m.
Richland 2, Lady Roadrunners 1 (2 OT)
In 2016, the Lady Roadrunners played the program’s first-ever game at Richland College. AC suffered a 2-1 loss in double overtime.
Fast forward one year, and simply copy and paste the headline.
This time hosting the Thunderducks, the Lady ‘Runners once again fell on a golden goal in the second extra period. Richland’s Courtney Weir banged home the game winner seven minutes into the second overtime for the ‘Ducks’ win.
Richland’s Asia Revely gave the ‘Ducks a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the match, driving a ball high into the right corner of the net. AC’s Jade Dewbre scored the equalizer in the 55th minute on an impossible, twisting header.
AC would miss two penalty kicks in the match, including a chance with just 13 minutes remaining in regulation.
The Lady Roadrunners (0-1) will play at Mountain View College Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Richland 2, Roadrunners 0
Despite missing several key players on opening night, the Roadrunners managed to put forth a battle against a strong Richland team before eventually falling 2-0.
The ‘Ducks’ Gustavo Lopez scored two goals in 74 seconds in the second half: One off a deflection and the other on a penalty kick. Those scores were just enough to hold off a young Roadrunner team absent several sophomore starters.
Angelina College goalkeeper Julian Ramirez dives for a save during Friday’s season opener against Richland College. The Roadrunners fell 2-0 at Jase Magers Field in Lufkin. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
The ‘Runners didn’t get many scoring looks against a tough Richland defense, and when they did press the attack, ‘Duck keeper Rene Chavez kept the ball out of the net.
Richland, on the other hand, appeared to solve AC’s defense after a scoreless draw in the first half. The ‘Ducks fired off five shots in the first five minutes of the second half, and only a superb effort from Roadrunner goalie Julian Ramirez kept the damage to a minimum.
The Roadrunners (0-1) travel to Mountain View College on Tuesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Sports Information Director Gary Stallard, who also serves as a Liberal Arts Instructor, begins his eleventh season with Angelina College. Following a career as a U.S. Marine, Stallard completed his bachelor’s degree at Stephen F. Austin University, where he majored in English and Journalism. For more than 16 years, he has worked as a sports writer/columnist/photographer for the Lufkin Daily News; he continues to contribute free-lance articles on occasion. Stallard has won several awards for writing, including the Golden Hoops Award for basketball writing in 2003, Regional Sports Writer of the Year in 2004, and the Texas Press Association’s first-place award for column writing in 2007 and in 2014. He has also done basketball, football and baseball radio and live streaming play-by- play and color commentary for an ESPN affiliate. Currently Stallard serves as play-by-play broadcaster for AC basketball, baseball and softball games.
Prior to arriving at Angelina College, Stallard taught English at Lufkin High School for four years. He currently teaches Developmental Writing classes at AC. He and his wife Susan live in Lufkin.
