Soccer photos by Maria Andrade and Morgan Bridwell
One Angelina College season came to an end, another has extended its year for another round of playoffs and two AC teams are about to tip off their new years.
This past week in Angelina College Athletics was busy, but not as busy as this next week is going to be.
Here’s a quick recap, along with the upcoming events over the next few days.
Lady Roadrunners End Season in Semifinal Round
Their head coach was hired just before the season began, leaving him very little time to recruit. The team itself opened the season short-handed and finished the entire year that way – even after recruiting a few softball players to help get the group through some rough spots.
Despite numerous obstacles, the Angelina College Lady Roadrunner soccer team surpassed all expectations, qualifying for the regional semifinals for the fourth straight season.
Alas, the season ended again a couple of games short of a national tournament invitation.
AC’s ladies won their quarterfinal round at home on Friday, beating Paris College 5-2 behind a hat trick from Camilla Bedin. Along with Bedin’s three goals, the Lady ‘Runners got another goal from Marlene Flores and an impossible bender from Ana Rendon on a corner kick.
But on Sunday in Tyler, the short-handed Lady Roadrunners saw their season come to an end with an 8-1 loss to the No. 3 Lady Apaches. Marlene Flores scored AC’s lone goal, leaving her with 18 for the season and 31 for her career – both Lady Roadrunner program records.
Lady ‘Runner sophomores playing in their final games for Angelina College included Allyson Gonzalez, Ana Rendon, Marlene Flores, Antonia Henao, Haidee Benitez, and Camilla Bedin.
AC’s ladies finish their season with an 8-4-1 record.
No. 7 Roadrunners Advance to Semifinal Round
AC’s men shook off a slow start to Saturday’s regional quarterfinal round against Northeast Texas Community College to take a 4-2 win over the Eagles.
NTCC took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute and led 1-0 at the half – and then the AC offense found its stride.
The ‘Runners came out of the gates in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals on the way to a 4-2 win over the Eagles at the AC Soccer Complex in Lufkin.
Kaito Ueki, Omar Mora, Bryan Aguirre and Shota Tokuhisa found the nets in time to extend AC’s undefeated (11-0-2) season.
Next up for the ranked ‘Runners is the semifinal round. AC will host Blinn College on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Angelina College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
AC Basketball Teams Tipping off Regular Seasons
Both AC basketball teams have wrapped up all their pre-season work.
Now it’s time to get down to business.
The Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners both tip off their 2023-2024 regular seasons this week. AC’s ladies open the season on the road at Hill College on Wednesday, following that with two games at the McLennan Classic in Waco. The Lady Roadrunners face North American University at 2 p.m. on Friday and McLennan College at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Those games take place on the McLennan College campus.
The Lady ‘Runners’ home opener will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 against Grayson College.
The Roadrunner men will host Strength and Motion in their season opener at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Shands Gymnasium. Two days later (Monday, Nov. 6), AC will host Honor Armour Lions at 5 p.m., also at Shands Gymnasium.
Lady Roadrunner Softball Still Rocking Fall Ball
The bats and gloves are heating up even as the temperatures outside are cooling considerably, as the Lady Roadrunner softball team continues its extensive fall schedule. AC is scheduled to play at Northeast Texas Community College at 3 p.m. on Tuesday; the team will host a doubleheader against Excel Elite starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday and play host to Illusions Gold Creech in a Sunday (Nov. 5) twin bill scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch.
Roadrunner Basketball Continues Mentorship Program
Angelina College athletic director and head men’s basketball coach and his Roadrunner players have for some time been participating in a mentorship program for Angelina County youth, going back to January of 2023 when the ‘Runners invited the youth and several dignitaries to Shands Gymnasium.
At a recent Lufkin Independent School District meeting held last Friday, the Roadrunners were acknowledged along with the kids for all the success this program has had in a short time.
Another reminder – especially with our weather trying to get all crazy on us – to visit the Angelina College Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com) to view all our sports schedules for the most recent updates. One may also follow on Facebook (Angelina College Athletics) or on the artist formerly known as “Twitter” (X). Look for @ACAthletics.
Aaaand…another reminder: Admission to all AC Athletics events is free, but fans are asked to leave all artificial noisemakers at home. They’re not legal, and game officials have the option of penalizing the home team for those offenders in the stands.
