Runners Fall Short in Nail-biter 15-12

Rio Rancho, N.M. (December 29, 2018) – It was a frigid Saturday evening and the hottest place to be was the Santa Ana Star Center to witness the New Mexico Runners face off against the Colorado Inferno FC. 

The Runners fell short against the Inferno by a score of 15-12 in front of approximately 750 fans. Having played this team several weeks ago during a preseason exhibition, this match-up was sure to be one of the most intense of the season and the Runners did not disappoint. 

Both teams were in a shootout right out of the gate each scoring 5 goals in the 1st quarter alone. Three different Runners hit pay dirt including Forwards #24 Jaime Rodriguez, #22 Sergio Fuentes, #5 Miguel Garcia, and Midfielder #7 Josh Goss. 

Rodriguez scored two of the Runners’ first 5 goals. New Mexico’s teamwork was on display with assists on all but one of the goals scored in the first half.

The Runners entered the second half with a one score lead and a lot of momentum with offensive fire power. Three New Mexico players finished with multiple scores including Rodriguez (4), Goss (3), Garcia and Fuentes (2).The Runners finished with 12 goals and 9 assists off of 35 total shots boasting a highly efficient offensive performance. 

After being down by as many as three goals with only 12 minutes left in the contest, the Runners brought the game back to tie things up at 12 with less than 8 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. 

In stark contrast to the third quarter score fest, the fourth quarter featured a 5 minute scoring drought running all the way down to just 3:26 left to play. The Inferno gave one last blaze going on the three-goal run starting with a shootout due to a blue card penalty on the Runner’s keeper Luis Carlos Martinez. 

Colorado went on to win the contest 15-12.Saturday’s game marked the end of the Runner’s season opening three-game home stand. The Runners will be on the road for the next two match-ups, first facing Cuervos of Ciudad Juarez in El Paso and then heading up to Santa Fe for a rematch against the Elite.

New Mexico is now 0-2 on the season and will be back in action at the Santa Ana Star Center on January 26, 2019 to host the Cuervos.

The Runners will take their first road game of the season against the Cuervos of Ciudad Juarez in El Paso, Texas. The match-up will take place on Friday January 4th, 2018 with a 4:30 PM kick-off at the El Paso Coliseum. 

Fans will be able to watch all the action online at newmexicorunners.com. 

The New Mexico Runners are an arena soccer team based in Rio Rancho, NM and current members of Major Arena Soccer League M2 (MASL2). The Runners play their home games at Santa Ana Star Center and season tickets are on sale NOW by calling 505.663.7RUN (7786). For more information on the Runners, visit http://www.newmexicorunners.com as well as LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE on social media at @nmrunners