Runners Out of Form, Defeated by Chihuahua Savage 2

Rio Rancho, NM - The New Mexico Runners returned to action Sunday afternoon after their first idle week of the new campaign. Originally scheduled to play host to the San Diego Sockers' MASL 2 squad, it was announced early on Saturday that Chihuahua Savage 2 would head north to the Rio Rancho Events Center instead. The Runners played strong defense for portions of the match, but the Savage’s offense would prove to be too much for New Mexico at times. Chihuahua spread out the attack throughout the day, with 12 different players scoring goals, and four of them recording two or more.

The match began with the Runners defending intensely, while Chihuahua made shot attempts that did not connect. It was with just under 11 minutes remaining in quarter one that the Savage opened the scoring after a Runners own goal, which would be credited to Caique Augosto Rivero Lopes, who was the closest Chihuahua player in the vicinity of the play. Although New Mexico received two blue card penalties in the first quarter, the Runners held the Savage to a single power-play goal, scored by Luis Alfredo Medrano off of a pass from Alejandro Corona.

Chihuahua scored eight times in the second quarter, with two coming off the foot of Luis Alfredo Medrano, who ended the day as one of two Savage players to log a hat-trick, with Jorge Octavio Gonzales also scoring three times. Andersson Castillo of New Mexico was shown the yellow card a little past halfway in the quarter, and the Runners were down a man for five of the six remaining minutes. The Savage took advantage of the Runners being shorthanded, tallying two power-play goals, and converting on a penalty kick to go into halftime with a 12-point lead.

The Runners came out of the intermission strong, with a solo score from Nicholas Cashmere just ahead of the 12-minute mark in the third. New Mexico’s defense shined in quarter three, only bleeding a single goal from Erick Haro of the Savage. Castillo found the home side’s second goal of the day in the final minute of the quarter. Runners’ captain Froilan Ramirez was credited with the assist.

To start quarter four, New Mexico pulled goalkeeper Dominic Valenzuela for an extra attacker, with goalscorer Cashmere donning the distinct blue jersey. Chihuahua capitalized on the Runners' vulnerability in goal, striking four times in the first five minutes of the final quarter. This would prompt Runners' Head Coach, Steve Famiglietta to send a goalkeeper in for the remainder of the match. Austin Snider joined Cashmere as the only other New Mexico player to log a goal in both home games thus far, scoring with an assist from Nate Yeager.

After 60 minutes of arena soccer action, the Runners suffered a 3-18 defeat, still pursuing their maiden win of season six. The New Mexico Runners will travel to Wichita, Kansas for the second time this season next Saturday to face off with a familiar foe, the Wings. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 PM Mountain Time, and the match will be streamed online through the New Mexico Runners Website.