Former Packers are chipping in for Riverland soccer team
Published 7:12 pm Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Riverlands Francisco Torres high fives Abi Lual after scoring in the first half against Anoka-Ramsey Wednesday afternoon. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Riverland Community College men’s soccer team looks very familiar to the team the Austin Packers fielded last fall, and just like that team, the Blue Devils are starting to learn how to compete on a regular basis.
RCC (2-6-1 overall, 0-4-0 MCAC South) gave Anoka-Ramsey, which is one of the top teams in the Region a solid effort in a 4-2 loss at the Wescott Athletic Complex Wednesday. RCC had lost to A-R 6-0 earlier this season.
Riverland’s Omot Okello headers a ball in front of Anoka-Ramsey’s Frank Zeon during the first half Wednesday at Wescott Athletic Complex. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re doing good now,” Austin grad and RCC forward Abi Lual said. “It’s not that much tougher than high school, the only difference is the physicality.”
Lual is one of four RCC players, who played for Austin’s team that went 16-4 overall and played in the Section 1A title game last season and the Blue Devils have a total of eight players from Austin on their roster.
“It’s like high school all over again,” Lual said. “We all know each other and that makes it a little easier. We still have the connection from last year.”
On Wednesday, Austin grad Francisco Torres knocked in a goal to tie the game at 1-1 with 27:40 left in the first half, but the Rams scored three straight goals to take a 4-1 lead.
RCC’s Ignacio Espinosa, who is from Ecuador, made it 4-2 when he launched a 40-yard shot over the head of A-R’s keeper.
RCC keeper Juan Montealegre, who is from Colombia, finished the game with 10 saves and RCC attempted seven shots on goal.
