GAME-CHANGER New soccer facility latest score for AC athletics

By JOSH HAVARD The Lufkin Daily News

Angelina College has never been one to shy away from building facilities that equal and surpass the normal standards of junior college programs.

On the athletic side, Shands Gym is a facility that has been one of the standards of JUCO basketball programs.

The Larry Phillips Sports Complex features baseball and softball fields that feature top-notch facilities for players and fans alike.

All three teams have hosted regional tournaments.

Next up is an on-campus soccer facility that will be the home of another of AC’s athletic programs.

The facility is currently set to be open in time for preseason practices in the summer before hosting both the men’s and women’s soccer programs’ openers in August.

“It’s a game-changer,” AC president Michael Simon said. “In terms of building enthusiasm for the program and getting top talent to the school, this is a facility we feel can be very beneficial to the program.”

Angelina’s soccer program had its debut season in 2016. Since then, both teams have exceeded expectations while competing against some of the top programs in the nation.

This past season was proof of the team’s steady ascent in making a name for itself both at a state and national level.

Despite missing the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the men’s and women’s teams had some of their best seasons in the history of the program.

The Roadrunners were a nationally ranked team that finished the season with a 13-4 record. The Lady Roadrunners drew national rankings in an 11-5 season that ended with a 2-1 loss to national powerhouse Tyler. “Soccer is our newest athletic program, and we want to make sure they understand how proud the Roadrunner family is of their success,” Simon said. “They’ve already had quite a bit of success in a relatively short amount of time. We feel this can be another step in continuing to build the program.”

Since the soccer program’s inception, the Roadrunners and Lady Roadrunners have used Lufkin High School’s Jase Magers Soccer Field for their games due to AC not having an on-campus stadium.

Simon said the agreement was a positive one for the program throughout the first six seasons, which saw AC go from a newcomer to one that steadily competed for playoff spots.

“I want to say we are very thankful to Lufkin ISD and to Dr. Lynn Torres (Lufkin superintendent) for letting us use their facility,” Simon said. “They worked cooperatively with us. They’d provide an announcer for our games. That was a fantastic relationship and we deeply appreciate their support.

“But when you think from a coaching standpoint, now our coaches are able to walk a prospective athlete out on the field while they’re right here on campus and show them where they’re going to compete. That can make a dif- ference for students making their college decision.”

The new soccer field will be located next to the baseball and softball fields at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex.

The new field will be similar to how the baseball field is set up as it will be cut into the side of the hill.

Seating will include a variety of options.

“There will be stands down on the hillside, but we also wanted to have grassy areas for the fans,” Simon said. “Families can set up their own picnic type areas. We feel like you can make a family day out of it. It’s really going