AC to Face No. 3 Tyler in Semifinals
By GARY STALLARD
AC Athletics
Before the 2024 season began, the Angelina College men’s soccer team had as its goal another trip to the national tournament. Having been there the previous two seasons in succession, the Roadrunners were looking for a “three-peat.”
On Wednesday, the ‘Runners took their first big steps toward another trip to Wichita, Kansas.
AC, currently ranked No. 13 in the national polls, blanked Paris 2-0 in the Region XIV Conference Tournament quarterfinals at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus.
Alek Melo received a nice feed in the box and used a hesitation move to freeze the Paris keeper for the first goal of the match. The Roadrunners led 1-0 in the 17th minute.
Later in the first half, Melo had his shot attempt blocked, but teammate Samuel Bouable was there for cleanup duty, ripping the nets for the 2-0 AC lead.
Thanks to a sticky ‘Runner defense and stellar goalkeeping from AC’s Casper Madsen, AC’s men were able to finish off the match and eliminated the Dragons from the postseason.
Next up for the Roadrunners is a road trip to perennial postseason rival Tyler Junior College. AC will face the No. 10 Apaches on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Tyler.
Tentative kickoff time is 7 p.m. The match will be live streamed on Tyler’s YouTube channel (TJCApacheAthletics).
The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
Photo captions:
Samuel Bouable:
Angelina College’s Samuel Bouable (3) works around a Paris Junior College defender during Wednesday’s match. The No. 13 Roadrunners blanked the Dragons 2-0 in the Region XIV Conference Tournament quarterfinal match on the AC campus. (Clara Sonet photo for AC Athletics)
Group Celebration:
The Angelina College Roadrunners celebrate following Wednesday’s match against Paris Junior College. The No. 13 Roadrunners blanked the Dragons 2-0 in the Region XIV Conference Tournament quarterfinal match on the AC campus. (Elizabeth Craig photo for AC Athletics)
Josmy Ngandola:
Josmy Ngandola (15) of Angelina College battles a Paris Junior College defender during Wednesday’s match. The No. 13 Roadrunners blanked the Dragons 2-0 in the Region XIV Conference Tournament quarterfinal match on the AC campus. (Clara Sonet photo for AC Athletics)
Alek Melo:
Angelina College’s Alek Melo prepares to slam home a goal during Wednesday’s match against Paris Junior College. The No. 13 Roadrunners blanked the Dragons 2-0 in the Region XIV Conference Tournament quarterfinal match on the AC campus. (Clara Sonet photo for AC Athletics)