Apaches win regional title

The No. 11 Tyler Junior College Apaches rallied for a 3-1 win over Angelina College on Saturday to capture the Region XIV soccer championship at Pat Hartley Field.

"I thought the guys played well and played patient, even though we trailed," TJC coach Steve Clements said. "We felt we were pretty in control. We continue to create opportunities but we need to finish."

TJC (16-4) now advances to the Gulf South District Championship in Eunice, Louisiana where the Apaches will face Jones County (Mississippi) on Friday in the semifinals. The other semifinal has LSU-Eunice meeting Northeast Texas. The winners meet on Saturday with a national tournament bid at stake. Also for the first time there are four at-large bids, Clements said. The national tournament is scheduled for Nov. 18-23 in Tyler.

After falling behind 1-0 against the Roadrunners, TJC tied the game at 1-1 when Karsimi Konneh scored off an assist from Marc Tirado Belles.

TJC took the lead 2-1 in the 55th minute when Thaabit Baartman stole the ball and scored. In the 75th minute, Jake Morris found the net off an assist by Jonathan Martinez. Carl Koester in goal for the Apaches.