Runners lose another home game; now hit the road

New Mexico Runners goalkeeper Nate Yeager (in blue) comes up with a big first-half save here. (Herron photo)

RIO RANCHO – For having just seen his indoor soccer team lose its second home game of the year – a game in which the New Mexico Runners never led – coach Steve Famiglietta was pretty laidback.

“We still have an issue at key moments not tracking our players,” he said. “It still showed in probably two goals.

“For me the difference today, and the first player I went up to after the game was their goalie (Fredo Chavez). I made it very clear, ‘If you were not on the field, we won today.’ They did a great job.”

Famiglietta stores in his mind plays that made or could have made a difference, such as saves by his goalkeeper, Nate Yeager.

“Nate saved some shots I expected him to save,” Famiglietta said. “That’s what you want from a goalie. Their goalie today saved shots he wasn’t supposed to save — over and over and over.”

The teams were pretty even offensively, with the Bombers unleashing 28 shots to the Runners’ 26.

Famiglietta, who said he has a fairly young team, pointed out that most of his players take a reactionary approach, rather than a proactive approach on the field.

“We work on being proactive,” he said.

Amarillo drew first blood, scoring a mere minute into the game; the Runners tied it on a goal by Froilan Ramirez, only to see two Bombers goals in less than two minutes leave the Runners trailing, 3-1, when the first period ended.

Amarillo never trailed or was tied again, as the Runners never got closer than a goal in the second stanza and were down by as many as three before intermission, when the Bombers held a 6-3 lead.

The second half started worse than the first half, as Amarillo scored just 18 seconds into it for a four-goal lead.

New Mexico rallied with three straight goals – by fan favorite Austin Snyder, Jaime Rodriguez and Vince Aragon – and the Runners were again within a goal, 7-6.

They would get no closer, trailing 9-6 heading into the final period, which was highlighted by two goals off the foot of former Cleveland High standout Nick Legendre, as the Runners scored the game’s final two goals to make the game look closer.

Aragon led the offense with a hat trick and two assists. Benjamin Rogers and Colton Oord, who played the final minutes in goal, also scored a goal apiece. Eduardo “Benji” Monreal scored five goals for the Bombers.

Famiglietta was pleased with Oord, who seemingly took a lot of hard falls on the pitch.

“I’d say in the history of this team (Colton) is the toughest individual – there’s no pain … if he breaks his leg, and unless sit’s exposed, I think he’s like, ‘Coach, tape me and let me keep going.’ He’s not a big dude, but he plays like he’s 6-5, 215 pounds with no fat on his body. He’s amazing.”

The Runners will face another winless team this week, when they play at Kansas on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Bandits are 0-3.

The Runners won two of three meetings with Kansas last season. The Runners are at Amarillo Jan. 20, and are back in the Events Center Jan. 28 for another meeting with the Bandits.