Runners Fall Short in Home Opener After Tough Break

by Peter Griego

Rio Rancho, NM - The New Mexico Runners returned home for the first time of this new season, falling to the Oklahoma City Certified Lions 6-11. The Runners and Lions played a tight match through three quarters, with Oklahoma City pulling away late.


Alejandro Chavez would strike first for Oklahoma City just four minutes into play, the first of three goals on the day. The Lions then extended their lead to two off the foot of Cesar Solis. A Froilan Ramirez goal would put the Runners on the board with a little over five minutes left in quarter one. Benji Rogers scored in the final minute for New Mexico to keep the Runners within a goal of Oklahoma City. 


Early in the second, Austin Snider found the open net for New Mexico, while Oklahoma City’s Tristan West was shown the blue card which was later combined with a yellow after an unsportsmanlike penalty. A Seny Gueye goal shortly after would be followed by a scoreless twelve minutes, and the Runners would be down two scores at the break.


After Oklahoma City drew first blood in half two, the Runners responded with two goals of their own, with a power play score from Ramirez, who would also tally two assists to go along with his two goals on the day, and Jordan Maldonado to cut the Lions lead to just one goal with one quarter to go.


The Runners started the fourth strong in pursuit of the tying goal, but it would soon take a turn for the worst, as an own goal gave Oklahoma City some breathing room early in the final period. The Lions would take control from there, scoring four times down the stretch. New Mexico was forced to pull goalkeeper Nate Yeager for an extra attacker, Nick Cashmere, who would score the Runners last goal of the evening.


New Mexico would unfortunately fall short after full time, 6-11, still searching for their first victory after three matches. The Runners will be back in action in two weeks time, hosting the San Diego Sockers 2 on January 12 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.