SAFC Back Atop West After Edging Past El Paso in Rival Match

Hamilton Stewart, Staff Writer

April 22, 2026

El Paso Locomotive FC

SAFC Forward Cristian Parano dribbling through traffic against El Paso Locomotive on Saturday night

A last-minute goal by SAFC forward Cristian Parano lifted San Antonio FC over Texas rival El Paso Locomotive for a 3-2 road win Saturday night at Southwest University Park.

SAFC reclaimed the top spot in the Western Conference and took round one of the Copa Tejas Cup after Parano, who leads SAFC in assists, scored his first goal of 2026 in the 90th minute.

“I am very, very grateful to be able to score my first goal of the season,” Parano said. “I hope many more arrive.”

SAFC goalkeeper Joey Batrouni had a career-high six saves in Saturday night’s win over El Paso (El Paso Locomotive FC)

It was a huge victory for SAFC, now tied for first in the Western Conference with Orange County SC. The match was the first loss for El Paso this season and dropped them to second place.

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After struggling to find the back of the net over the last four matches, San Antonio went up 1-nil in the 16th minute when SAFC defender Alex Crognale caught El Paso goalkeeper Abraham Romero off his line, launching a 65-yard moonshot that soared up and over Romero and into the goal. Crognale’s second goal of 2026 is highlight reel material and an early-season candidate for goal of the year, but not the first of a kind for him.

SAFC forward Cristian Parano battles El Paso midfielder Gabriel Torres in Saturday’s match (El Paso Locomotive FC)

“A few minutes before, Mikey (Maldonado) said, ‘Look at the goalie, he’s off his line.’ Those who have followed me know I’ve scored one of those before, and I have that one in the locker. Mitch (Taintor) played me a great ball, just took a touch and let it fly,” Crognale said.

SAFC midfielder Jorge Hernandez then followed with his third goal of the season in the 43rd minute to put San Antonio up 2-nil – the most dangerous lead in soccer.

In extra time just before the half, El Paso forward Rubio Rubín scored in the 47th minute to cut the lead to 2-1. The Locomotive picked up where it left off in the second half as El Paso forward Roberto Avila, in the 55th minute, shot from distance, well outside the box, and found the top left corner for the equalizer.

SAFC Defender Alex Crognale scored his second goal of the season with a spectacular shot from distance in the first half against El Paso. (El Paso Locomotive FC)

“We played a great first half,” SAFC Head Coach Carlos Llamosa said. “We suffered for a moment there, but our team brought its personality out, and we fought for 90 minutes.”

San Antonio is now a step closer to claiming its second-straight Copa Tejas trophy and undefeated since October 2021 (38-0-5) when leading at halftime.

SAFC will return to Toyota Field Saturday, hosting Birmingham Legion FC at 7:30 p.m.

About the Contributor

Hamilton Stewart, Multimedia Journalist

Hamilton is a multimedia journalist at the Sundial. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He is completing an Associate of Applied Science in Court Reporting Computer-Aided Transcription at SAC, as well as a Level II Certificate in Multimedia Journalism.

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