Runners Rebound, Snap Losing Streak

Rio Rancho, NM - Sunday at the Rio Rancho Events Center, the New Mexico Runners snapped a 15-match skid dating back to February of last year and recorded their first win in regulation since the 2023 season. The match marked the first win for Head Coach Brian Weems in his fifth at the helm. 

The Runners soared from the opening minutes, with Nick Cashmere striking first, assisted by goalkeeper Nate Yeager. Vince Aragon extended the New Mexico lead shortly after, before Oklahoma City’s Alejandro Chavez put the Certified Lions on the board. Terry Zamora’s early blue card was the only penalty for the Runners, playing all but two minutes with either a full-strength squad or up a player.

Benji Rogers then capped off the first quarter scoring with an assisted goal from Froilan Ramirez, who then scored off a Nick Cashmere pass at the start of quarter two. Oklahoma City responded with a Luke Jeffus goal midway through the period. Jeffus’ day ended with a brace, responsible for half of the Certified Lions’ total. The Runners then went into halftime with the lead for just the second time this season.

Just before two minutes played in the second half, Jordan Maldonado turned a pass from Ramirez into a point, breaking a scoring drought dating back to December. Five of Maldonado’s six goals on the season have come against the Certified Lions.

Rogers secured a hat-trick for the first time as a Runner, scoring near both the nine and 13-minute marks, tying Cashmere as the Runners leading goal scorer with seven each on the season. Ramirez later capped off the quarter with another goal of his own to go along with his two assists, recording four goal contributions for the second time this year.

After giving up a single goal in the fourth, the Runners sealed the deal, as Michael Stephens netted a solo shot to extend the New Mexico lead to five with under five minutes to play. The match soon concluded, with the Runners defeating the Certified Lions 9-4.

One final road trip awaits the Runners next weekend, as they are set to head down south for a doubleheader weekend with Chihuahua Savage II. The season finale is scheduled for the following weekend, as the Empire Jets will pay a visit to the City of Vision on Sunday, March 23 for Hispanic Heritage Day. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or on the New Mexico Runners Website.