Despite Rogers’ Consecutive Hat Trick, Runners Fall in Chihuahua

Chihuahua, MX - For the first time in franchise history, the New Mexico Runners made the long trip down south to Chihuahua City, Mexico to face off with Chihuahua Savage 2. Friday afternoon was the first of two meetings this weekend and their third of the season. Chihuahua got the best of the Runners in the first meeting, an 18-3 route in Rio Rancho on January 12. Since then, the Runners have undergone numerous roster changes and a coaching staff overhaul.

Friday’s fixture began similarly to the first between the two teams, with Chihuahua starting strong, scoring nine times in the opening frame. New Mexico’s lone first-quarter goal came from Benji Rogers, fresh off a hat trick last weekend. Both Vince Aragon and Nick Cashmere scored in the second.

Cashmere scored the Runners’ first in the second half, his 15th goal in under two full seasons with the club. Soon after, Benji Rogers tacked on two more, recording his second straight three-goal performance. Around a minute later, John Torres marked his debut with a goal. Rounding out the third, Atif Azimi notched his maiden goal in his third season with the Runners. Azimi made four appearances between the 2022 and 2023 seasons upon returning in 2025 after a season-long absence. 

Azimi netted another one to start the fourth, doubling his career total within just a few minutes of being a goalscorer. Chihuahua then ended the match on a five-goal scoring run. For the Savage, Alvaro Luevano and Jorge Octavio Gonzalez each tallied three goals, with a few others contributing with multiple goals, including Romon Ramirez whose brace helped put 23 points on the board for the home squad.

For the Runners defensively, goalkeepers Nate Yeager and Hector Castaneda effectively split time in goal, each logging roughly 30 minutes. The pair combined for 26 saves, each challenged with approximately 25 shots. In just three showings so far this season, Castaneda has just shy of 50 saves, sharing the net with starting keeper Yeager.

The Runners and Savage will challenge each other again tomorrow afternoon for the second match in as many days. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 am and the action can be streamed live on the Chihuahua Savage 2 Facebook Page. The link to the live stream can be accessed on the New Mexico Runners Website.