Runners Ground the Flyers, Win 14-9

Rio Rancho, NM (December 21, 2019) – In a dogfight between the New Mexico Runners and the Falls Town Flyers, New Mexico takes down the flyers in seasoned fashion by a score of 14- 9 at the Santa Ana Star Center on Saturday night.

After a difficult double header road trip in which the Runners faced both the Colorado Rumble and the Colorado Inferno FC, the team looked to extend their home winning streak against the Flyers. The Runners struck first with Midfielder Edward Oropesa heading it in off a pass from Forward Jaime Rodriguez. New Mexico finished scoring five goals in the first quarter taking a three score lead over the Flyers heading into the second.

Starting Goalkeeper Casey Gasson had another quiet night in the goalie box finishing with seven saves on 20 total shots while allowing just four goals. Gasson also recorded an assist setting up Rodriguez’ second score header with a well-placed distribution. The Runners defense has been stellar throughout the course of the season holding their opponents to less than ten scores in three of the last four matches.

The phenomenal play of the defense sent Gasson to the bench for the remainder of the contest, giving Dominic Valenzuela great minutes off the bench throughout the third and fourth quarters.

The two goalies etched nearly identical stat lines with Valenzuela allowing five goals and 9  saves on sixteen total shots. Valenzuela wasn’t the only rookie earning his moment in the spotlight Saturday night. Homegrown talent Gabe Legendre scored his first career goal as a Runner with 10:15 to go in the third quarter. His impressive feat warranted a level of applause surpassed only by his second career goal. His sequel score was a highlight reel worthy header off a lob from Forward Froilan Ramirez to give the Runners an 11-4 advantage midway through the third.

All in all, seven Runners got the ball across the goal line with Rodriguez and Ramirez tied for the top spot scoring a hat trick apiece.

New Mexico refused to give the Flyers starting goalie Carlos Gonzales any breathing room tallying 36 shots resulting in 14 goals. The Runners evenly distributed their scoring along with their impressive play of the defense. This proved to be a lethal one-two knockout punch as the Runners went on to finish the Flyers 14-9.

14 goals ties the most goals ever scored in a game in franchise history. The last time the Runners scored 14 goals in a game was against the Colorado Rumble on February 10, 2019 where New Mexico won 14-13.

The win improves the Runners to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 at home.

New Mexico will travel to Austin next week for a rematch against the Power on Saturday, December 28^th, 2019 at 6:00 PM MT. The live stream of the game will be available on the New Mexico Runners Facebook page. The Runners will be back in action at the Santa Ana Star Center on January 4^th, 2020 at 5:15pm. New Mexico will look to remain perfect against their archrivals to the north, the Colorado Rumble. Tickets are available at newmexicorunners.com

The New Mexico Runners are New Mexico’s professional arena soccer team based in Rio Rancho, NM and current members of Major Arena Soccer League 2 (MASL2). The Runners play their home games at Santa Ana Star Center and season 2 season tickets are on sale NOW by calling 505.663.7RUN (7786). For more information on the Runners, visit http://www.newmexicorunners.com as well as LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE on social media at @nmrunners.
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