North American University Takes Rivalry Win Over Texas College
Final Score: NAU 2, Texas College 1
Stafford, TX—On a breezy Saturday afternoon, the Stallions of North American University clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory over their Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) rivals, Texas College, in front of 46 dedicated fans at Ronald D. Thornton Stadium. The game, marked by fierce competition and spirited play, showcased NAU's resilience as they held off Texas College's late advances to claim their first RRAC win of the season.
Pre-Game Controversy: Coach Marcos Voices Concerns Just two days prior to the match, Texas College Head Coach Marcos Villarreal expressed his frustrations regarding the condition of the Ronald D. Thornton pitch. He voiced concerns about the playing surface not being suitable for a rivalry game of this magnitude, hinting that the field was not up to par. Ironically, Coach Marcos recalled last year's debacle when Texas College's own field was infested with East Texas prairie dogs, making their home turf more of a wildlife sanctuary than a competitive venue.
"Both teams deserve a quality field to play on," he noted before the match. "It's frustrating when you work so hard, and the field conditions don't match that effort." His remarks highlighted a pressing issue for both institutions: the need for better administrative support for their athletic programs. "You can't just use student-athletes to further your enrollment standards; they deserve resources that reflect their hard work and dedication," he added.
First Half Action: The Stallions wasted no time asserting dominance in the game. Forward Joan Remo C Morales opened the scoring early, finding the back of the net in the 17th minute, thanks to a perfect assist from Eric Landaverde. This quick strike energized the home crowd, but Texas College was quick to respond, leveling the score at 1-1 just three minutes later. Forward Kisasi Brooks capitalized on a pass from Jovan Glisic, catching the Stallions off guard.
However, NAU quickly regained their lead in the 36th minute when defender Andres Santos scored with a well-placed header off a corner taken by Reynaldo Vanegas. That goal proved to be the game-winner, sending the Stallions into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
Second Half Drama: The second half saw both teams battling fiercely for possession, with tensions rising as Texas College ramped up their physical play. The Stallions faced a barrage of fouls from their opponents, who were desperate to force an equalizer. Despite the intensity, NAU stood firm, with goalkeeper Gino Burioni making four crucial saves to preserve the victory for North American.
Burioni's performance was instrumental, showcasing sharp reflexes and excellent positioning that kept Texas College at bay. The Steers managed only 4 shots on goal compared to NAU's 11, and despite Texas College goalkeeper Younes Ezzaim recording 5 saves, it wasn't enough to overcome the Stallions' sharp attack.
Stat Sheet Standouts:
With this victory, North American University improves to 3-5-2 overall and 1-3-1 in RRAC play. Coach Dane Smith praised his team's composure under pressure, highlighting the defensive efforts that kept Texas College scoreless in the second half.
"This was a crucial win for us," said Smith. "We've been building towards this, and today the boys showed their heart. This rivalry win gives us momentum heading into the latter part of the season."
Looking Ahead: A Call for Change As the dust settles on this latest chapter in their RRAC clash, it's clear that both North American and Texas College deserve better facilities. The ongoing conversation about field conditions reflects a broader need for both institutions to step up their support for athletics. Coaches like Marcos Mthembu and Dane Smith are calling for action, emphasizing that student-athletes deserve an environment that reflects their dedication and commitment.
With the next matchup against the University of the Southwest looming, both teams will be looking to build on this rivalry game's intensity and excitement. Let's hope their respective administrations are listening and ready to take the necessary steps to elevate their athletic programs.
Written by Rev. Justin C. Jackson, Sports Information Director for North American University. For more updates on NAU athletics, visit Stallions.na.edu.
