When Angelina College head men’s soccer coach Martin Melchor first arrived on the AC campus in 2023, he stated his program’s goals quite clearly:
“I’d love to build Angelina College soccer into a real dynasty,” Melchor said.
He and the Roadrunners are off to a good start.
Following a tremendous 2023 campaign, the Roadrunners will enter the new season as the No. 6 team in the nation, according to this week’s NJCAA Division Men’s Soccer polls.
In a testament to just how tough AC’s home conference, Region XIV, truly is, two other teams made the list: Tyler Junior College at No. 2 and Blinn College at No. 13.
The ‘Runners in 2023 made plenty of noise, finishing the season with a 13-3-2 record that included an undefeated record in conference play. AC won the conference outright for the first time in program history, sending the team to the national tournament for the second straight year – the first time any Angelina College program has qualified for a national tournament in consecutive years.
Following the season, Melchor was named the District Coach of the Year.
As is always the case in the NJCAA, AC’s men lost several players to graduation. However, Melchor has said he’s confident the incoming group won’t allow a letdown in performance – or expectations.
Returning players from the 2023 squad include Abdallah Traore (defender), Filliph Kamfjord (forward), Eric Ortiz (forward), Ramiro Mendoza (midfielder), Christian Castaneda (forward) and Daniel Rivera (midfielder).
The Roadrunners kick off their preseason Tuesday at Dallas College-Mountain View; AC’s first home scrimmage takes place on Saturday, August 24 against Texas A&M University-San Antonio. That match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
For full rosters and schedules, visit the Angelina College Athletics website at www.angelinaathletics.com.
The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
