I-A BOYS SOCCER: Short-handed Roadrunners edge Miners

Despite being down two players, Tech found a way to win Saturday’s Division I-A Southern Region boys soccer championship at Heritage Park.

Julio Del Real’s header off Brandon Vargas’ corner kick four minutes into overtime gave the Roadrunners a 3-2 victory over Sunrise Mountain.

“Vargas crossed the ball and it deflected off someone and went up in the air,” Del Real said. “The goalie came with his hands up, and I hit it over him.”

Tech coach Josh Jones credited his team for finishing the game with just nine players after two red cards.

“They never stop fighting,” Jones said. “Playing two players down, it’s almost improbable to get a goal (there). The guys believed. Good thing we’ve got a pretty veteran group of guys that have been here before. They didn’t show any nerves and continued to keep fighting.”

Tech (18-5-3) began playing down a man when Hugo Flores received his second yellow card in the 48th minute. Derian Salcido got a red card for hitting a Sunrise Mountain player with two minutes left in regulation.

Both players are ineligible for Friday’s state semifinal in Dayton against Sparks, but can return if the team advances to the championship game. Sunrise Mountain (10-5-2) plays Truckee in the other semifinal.

“Things happen in soccer,” Jones said. “They’re going to come out and support the guys and hopefully they’ll get a chance for a little bit of redemption in the championship game. It’s going to be a little bit of a struggle, but we have a pretty deep team.”

Tech stormed out to a 2-0 halftime lead on goals from Salcido and Flores.

Salcido’s goal came from a cross by Del Real, who was being swarmed by two defenders.

Flores bodied in his goal five minutes later off a 15-yard free kick by Salcido.

Just three minutes into the second half, the Miners began their comeback.

Jose Paz sent a 40-yard free kick to teammate Luis Garcia-Chapurro, who put it into the net to make it 2-1.

Sunrise Mountain’s Emilio Graciano converted a free kick right outside the box to tie it with four minutes left in regulation.

“First half, I think we came out and did exactly what we wanted to,” Jones said. “But, momentum kind of shifted (their way) and our guys got a little out of character.”

Del Real saved the day with his header in overtime as the Roadrunners won the region championship for the second consecutive year.

“I never get those,” said Del Real, who switched to offense after the red cards. “My coaches believed in me and I couldn’t let them down. I had to do my job.”

Del Real said the Roadrunners are not done.

“We’re feeling great, but the best is yet to come,” he said.