Video: Roughriders lose to East Central in playoffs

Ryan Land
Editor-In-Chief

The fifth ranked East Central Community College Falcons pulled a 2-1 upset win against fourth ranked Crowder during the quarterfinals of the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) tournament, held on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Roughrider field.

“Some of the decisions did not go our way,” said Kenneth Aleri, sophomore right fielder. “In the first half, we should have had a goal from Brantley [Gossett] … he had a shot from halfway and I think it went in the goal, but unfortunately for us, that decision didn’t go our way … some other decisions as well. That’s soccer … what can you do?”

A score by East Central during the first half gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead at halftime. Crowder scored a point just after the start of the second half, but the Falcons would not waste time losing possession of the lead, as East Central scored with just over 37 minutes left to play in the half. The Falcons would hold on to the lead to end the Roughrider’s post season and give East Central a chance to play top seeded Jefferson College in the semifinals of the tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Abeselom Mekennon, freshman center midfielder, thought the team played how they were suppose to, but believed play calls made by referees throughout the game really hurt their chances at victory.

“We played well,” Mekennon stated. “The ref was just like giving them a little bit. The ref really hurt us today, but other than that, the fans was great and we really played an amazing game.”

The loss finishes the Roughrider’s season with an overall season record of 9-9, 2-5 in Region 16 play.