Runners show improvement in first game back

RIO RANCHO — It’s been 27 long days since the New Mexico Runners, Rio Rancho’s favorite Arena Soccer Team, took the pitch for a game. 27 days since the fast-paced excitement came to the Rio Rancho Events Center. 27 days since Michael Wissman found the back of the net, or Nate Yeager made a mind-boggling save. 27 days since Rio Ranchoans packed the RREC, decked out in their Runners gear, screaming their heads off, pretzel in one hand, soda in the other.

Well, this past Sunday, Feb. 23, the Runners were finally back, and though they took another loss, the team improvement was obvious to all who’ve been paying attention this season.

The Runners brought in a new head coach, Brian Weems, prior to their final game before the break, and the impact was immediate. The team was defeated 10-8 in their closest loss, by far, this year.

The Runners 8-3 defeat to the now-rival Wichita Wings on Sunday, marked the first time this season the Rio Rancho squad has kept their opponent to a single-digit score (allowing 14, 19, 11, 18, 15, 10 and now eight.) They also held their opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter, the first clean quarter for the Runners this season. Even better, the Wings are 9-1 this season and in first place in the Midwest/West Division, making the tight loss even more impressive.

The Runners are 0-7 and in last place.

Offensively, the Runners were led by Nicholas Cashmere, who found the back of the net twice (with one assist from Jordan Maldonado.) The third goal was scored by Michael Wissman.

Wings strikers Kevin Ten Eyck and Guilherme Oliveira also scored twice.

Next up, the Runners head to Let’s Play Inc. Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to face the fourth place Certified Lions. The Lions are 3-6 this year and riding a two-game losing streak.

The Runners and Lions face off at 7 p.m. on Mar. 1. For more information, visit newmexicorunners.com.