Rio Hondo College women’s soccer team crowned South Coast Conference North Division champions

After an impressive season with an overall record of 13-1-5, the Rio Hondo College women’s soccer team, led by Head Coach Jennifer Tanaka, was named the 2016 Southern California South Coast Conference North Division champions.

The Lady Roadrunners went undefeated in the conference, getting a record of 5-0-3 to secure the championship, and only lost one non-conference game this season to defending state champions Cerritos College.

The Lady Roadrunners started off their last week of conference play with a home game against Mt. San Antonio College Nov. 8.

Prior to the game, sophomores said their farewell to one another as they prepared to play their last home game of the season.

The Lady Roadrunners went on to win the game against Mt. SAC, with Erika Lizarraga scoring the only goal of the game after breaking free and carrying the ball all the way up to the opposing goalie after an assist from Madison Mader before putting the shot past the goalkeeper securing the win for Rio Hondo.

Next on the list for Rio Hondo was a road game against Chaffey College Nov. 11. The Lady Roadrunners closed out their conference with a 1-0 win against the Panthers, and a three game winning streak to achieve their first ever South Coast Conference North Division championship after previously competing in the Foothill Conference.

Freshman Daisy Gallegos maneuvered past the Panthers defense to score the only goal of the match against Chaffey College after an assist from Erika Lizarraga in the first half that sealed the deal for the Lady Roadrunners undefeated conference this season.

After winning the title, Rio Hondo secured an automatic berth into the Southern California Regional Playoffs which commence on Nov. 19.

This is the third consecutive conference title for the Rio Hondo College women’s soccer team and for head coach Tanaka as the team prepare for playoffs.

Congratulations to the Lady Roadrunners for another excellent season as they now await the Southern California Regional Playoff seedings that will be announced next week.