By News Desk | 936 Insider | Oct. 27, 2026
Section: Sports

A few weeks ago, there was a real question whether the injury-plagued Angelina College Lady Roadrunner soccer team would even qualify for the postseason. Tuesday night, they played their way into the Region XIV Conference semifinal.

AC shocked No. 13 Navarro College in a shootout at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus, winning the match when goalkeeper Samuela Valeri stuffed Navarro’s final penalty kick with a diving stop to her left. Fans flooded the pitch to mob the team the moment the ball stuck in Valeri’s gloves.

Angelina College goalkeeper Samuela Valeri dives left to stop Navarro College's final penalty kick in the Region XIV quarterfinal shootout, Oct. 27, 2026. — Angelina College goalkeeper Samuela Valeri stuffs the final penalty kick attempt from Navarro College, clinching the Lady Roadrunners’ upset of the No. 13 Lady Bulldogs. (Maryane Pala photo for AC Athletics)

How it got there

The Lady Roadrunners trailed 1–0 at halftime, then pulled even in the 64th minute on a goal from Aundrea Barreiro. Navarro reclaimed the lead in the 72nd minute — but three minutes later Beatriz Almeida smashed home a second equalizer to force overtime.

NJCAA postseason rules call for two overtime periods with the golden goal in play. Neither side found it, setting up a thriller of a shootout.

Angelina College forward Beatriz Almeida (7) strikes the equalizer that sent the Region XIV quarterfinal against Navarro College to overtime. — Angelina College’s Beatriz Almeida (7) smashes home the tying goal during Tuesday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal match at AC. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Athletics)

The shootout

Navarro’s first attempt caromed off the crossbar. Angelina College’s Almeida and Madelyn Huebel both converted. Navarro answered with two makes before an AC misfire leveled the shootout. Navarro’s next kick sailed high. Olivia Loyola buried hers to put the Lady ‘Runners in front. Then Valeri went diving to her left — and the Lady Roadrunners were on to the semifinals.

Angelina College soccer fans rush onto the pitch to celebrate with the Lady Roadrunners after the Region XIV quarterfinal upset of No. 13 Navarro College. — Fans celebrate with the team after the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners pulled off an upset of No. 13 Navarro College in Tuesday’s Region XIV Conference Quarterfinal action. (Maryane Pala photo for AC Athletics)

Up next: Trinity Valley on Friday

Angelina College travels to Athens on Friday to face No. 9 Trinity Valley Community College in the conference semifinal. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on the TVCC campus.

Release and photos courtesy Gary Stallard, Angelina College Sports Information Director.

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