Roadrunner Soccer Team Defeats St. Michael, 9-1

The Roadrunners dominated the game. The team mixed up lineups and developed some fine passing patterns. Javier Quintana started in goal, but was replaced in the first half by younger brother Carlos Quintana. In the second half, Random Skevington covered the goal.

Giuseppe Tamre scored two more goals for Holbrook, and R.J. Alvarado, Jesse Spangler and Robert Jaquez scored one each. Javier Quintana had an assist and Andy Leon had two assists. It was a strong win for the Roadrunners.

The Roadrunners earned a split in four matches played at the Show Low tournament last weekend.

They opened play on Friday against Phoenix Country Day School and pushed out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to two goals from Spangler in the first 25 minutes of play. On the final play of the first half Holbrook had a defensive breakdown on a direct kick, allowing the lead to be cut in half.

Jaquez scored once for Holbrook in the second half, pushing the lead to 3-1. Later in the half, Phoenix Country Day picked up a goal and in the final two minutes of the match, sent the game to a shoot out. In the five shoot out kicks, Spangler, Jaquez, Javier Quintana and Alvarado all found the back of the net, giving Holbrook the win.

In their second game of the day the Birds didn’t have their best outing, falling to Payson in a 2-1 decision. After the Longhorns scored first, Spangler found the net again, balancing the score before the half. Payson added the winning goal in the second half.

“We had a number of scoring opportunities, but none found the back of the net. It was a disappointing loss,” said Coach Dave Wright.

Returning to Show Low on Saturday, the Birds again won their first match of the day, holding back a late rally to defeat Faith Lutheran by a final of 3-2. Spangler scored a goal in the 14th minute of the match to tie it up at 1-1, then added another goal later in the half, putting the Birds up 2-1.

Jaquez extended Holbrook’s lead to 3-1 with a second half goal, then Holbrook withstood a furious late game rally by Faith Lutheran to win the match 3-2.

“This was the team’s best win against a very skilled team. Javier Quintana made several nice saves to protect the win for us,” added Coach Wright.

Holbrook’s final match of the tournament resulted in a loss to Immaculate Heart of Tucson. The Roadrunners fell behind by two goals early, then Jaquez’ shot from thirty yards out cut the lead in half. Due to some nagging injuries, the Birds were unable to play up to their potential and eventually took the 3-1 loss.

Prior to the Show Low tourney, the Roadrunners were in Flagstaff on Tuesday for a re-match with Northland Prep. In their previous meeting in Holbrook, the Birds lost 6-1. This time around, playing on the turf field in Flagstaff, Holbrook played much better, yet still came up one goal short, losing to the Spartans 3-2. Tamre scored Holbrook’s first goal, chipping the ball over the Spartan’s keeper. The Roadrunners controlled much of the first half before a defensive mistake allowed a Northland Prep goal in the final five minutes of the half to tie the match.

The second half went back and forth with the Spartans going ahead early, only to have Tamre blast a long shot into goal, knotting the game at 2-2. In the final two minutes of the game Holbrook gave up the winning goal.

“This was a tough loss, but the team played much better. Giuseppe Tamre, Javier Quintana, Levi Reyes and Andy Leon were all standouts for the team,” concluded Coach Wright.

Holbrook will host Grand Canyon twice this weekend with a 4 o’clock match this afternoon (Sept. 23) followed by a 10 o’clock match on Saturday morning.

Following that, the Roadrunners will have a week off to prepare for a road game with Round Valley at Eagar on Saturday, Oct. 1.