Runners Tumble the Rumble in OT, 8-7

by Andres Trujillo

Denver, CO (March 9, 2019) – In a weekend road trip with 2 games at hand, the New Mexico Runners (4-6) defeated the Colorado Rumble (3-8) in Overtime by a score of 8-7 at the Foothills Fieldhouse in Denver, Colorado.

The Runners started with great defensive energy for the majority of the 1st quarter until the Rumble found an open space to kick one in. In less than 2 minutes Luis Fernando Martinez kicks one in to equalize.  The battle in the first went back and forth and with only 45 seconds remaining, Jaime Rodriguez nails it inside the post to take a 2-1 lead.

The 2nd quarter was a fast start for the Runners as Rodriguez gained his second goal of the night in two and a half minutes. The Rumble would cut the Runner lead to 3-2. Before end of the first half, Colorado would equalize at 3 apiece.

Another defensive battle ensued in the 3rd quarter and it would take almost 10 minutes until Rodriguez would tip it in and score a hat trick. Quickly the Rumble took the lead and held a 4-5 Rumble lead at the end of the third.

New Mexico would struggle at the start of the 4th quarter as Colorado made sure they took a 4-7 lead. As the Runners reorganized on the field, James Urbany would fight his way into the box to cut the Rumble lead down to 2. Two minutes later, Rodriguez continues his scoring streak with a fourth goal of the night to bring the Rumble lead to 1. There would be no giving up the fight for New Mexico as Rodriguez slides into the goalie box dm’s and scores to tie the game at 7 with only 1:30 remaining In the game.

The fight would continue and regulation was concluded at 7-7. In order to win in overtime, a team must score a “golden goal” which means first team to score wins. It wouldn’t take long for Sergio Fuentes to work together off a laser to the lower right corner of the goal to win the game by a score of 8-7.

New Mexico advances to a record of 4-6 on the season.

New Mexico will continue the Colorado road trip and face the Colorado Inferno in Colorado Springs on Sunday March 10, 2019 at 6 PM MT. 

The New Mexico Runners are an arena soccer team based in Rio Rancho, NM and current members of Major Arena Soccer League M2 (MASL2). The Runners play their home games at Santa Ana Star Center and 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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