The Little Rock Rangers found themselves in a tough match against one of the most in-form teams in the Mid-South Division on Saturday, June 19. The Stags traveled to Corpus Christi in search of three points which could boost their standings in the league table significantly. The result went the opposite of the hopes the Rangers went in with, as they fell 1-2.

The Rangers started quick out of the gate providing the match with the first two real chances early on with Spencer Barber, the club’s leading goalscorer this season, and Jaden Hoth who both won headers but just couldn’t tilt the ball down into the goal. It wasn’t until just over the 20-minute mark when Corpus Christi FC began challenging the Rangers goal. Corpus Christi eventually found the opening goal in the 24th minute with a free-kick that went over the heads of everyone except the Corpus Christi attacker on the back-post.

The hosts would double their lead in the 35th minute with a through ball that just skipped by the out-stretched leg of Nick Doyle leading to a one-on-one finish.

Just past halftime the Rangers put the press on the hosts and caused all kinds of problems. Including a big chance by wing-back Josiah Ireland who had beaten his defender and found himself inside the penalty area before being taken down hard. No call was given as the Rangers would win a throw-in after Barber picked the ball up after the tackle. The Rangers again nearly found the back of the net after a couple of players went up and won a header which sent the back right off the crossbar and over for a goal-kick.

The Stags cut the deficit in half after Daylon Schiffel won a header off a free-kick from way out to bring the score to 1-2. With plenty of time to find an equalizer, the Rangers were held out and unable to find the goal.

The Rangers return home on Tuesday June 22 against AHFC Royals, kickoff is set for 7 PM.