The Rio Hondo College men’s soccer team started off their South Coast Conference play against East Los Angeles College Sept. 30 where they went on to win the game in the 88th minute thanks to a late winner by Angel Flores.

The game was steady for a majority of the time as both teams went back and forth late into the match, yet it appeared as it would be a 0-0 result to start off the conference for both teams that night.

Flores turned what was about to be a likely draw between both sides, into a Rio Hondo victory as Antonio Villegas’ and Jesus Garcia’s combined passes to set up Flores for the game-winner against ELAC.

Rio Hondo goalkeeper, Jose Paredes, was a key player in the match tallying eight saves to help the Roadrunners get their fifth shutout of the season.

The Roadrunners next hosted Pasadena City College Oct. 4 as they looked to continue to get past their 3-0 loss to Santa Monica College Sept. 23.

Pasadena City College went into the game against the Roadrunners looking for another win, after their previous 5-3 comeback over Chaffey College Sept. 30.

It was another even match between two strong sides that were going all out for the win, with chances created as early as the first few minutes of the game.

Goalkeepers played a key role in the match, as they generated save after save creating even more suspense and frustration between the players.

The first-half remained scoreless as both goalkeepers held down each of their ends of the field, leaving the team’s huddled up so they can prepare second-half game strategies while critiquing the good and the bad from the game so far.

As the second-half commenced, both sides continued attacking from all angles as they desperately aimed to get on the scoreboard first.

Unfortunately, it was Pasadena City College who rose to the challenge first, after Yader Rodriguez managed to get a goal past goalkeeper Jose Paredes off of Avo Haroutunyan’s assist in the 65th minute of the game.

The opening goal only created more suspense as Rio Hondo was under more pressur to get on the scoreboard themselves, with only 25 minutes remaining.

Rio Hondo turned the pressure they had on themselves into motivation, and bombarded Pasadena City’s goalkeeper Yusuf Elmasari with attack after attack until finally Rio’s efforts brought them to level terms only ten minutes after conceding.

Carlos Jimenez of Rio Hondo College gave his team the equalizer in the 75th minutes after an assist from Mauricio Sanchez.

After another intense 15 minutes of play, the game ended in a 1-1 draw with both goalkeepers tallying seven saves apiece on the night.

After a win and a draw in the South Coast Conference, Rio Hondo then traveled to Mt. SAC Oct. 7 where they looked to face the Mounties.

Mt. SAC is currently coming off of a seven game winning streak, and with a 2-0-0 record in the SCC, as they hosted the Roadrunners.

The game started off with full blown intensity that saw Alejandro Luna and Kristopher Morgan of Rio Hondo, as well as five Mt. SAC’s players, get cautioned with yellow cards one minute in. That same play ended with Axel Mendez getting ejected.

The game ended in a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes as Rio Hondo ended Mt. SAC’s current winning streak and turned it into an eight game undefeated streak.

The Roadrunners have now brought their overall record to 5-2-4 and 1-0-2 in conference as they next look to face Chaffey College Oct. 11 for another SCC game.