Struggling throughout the entire season, the men’s soccer team at Rio Hondo College had only one thing in mind and it was to finish off their last game at home against the South Coast Conference leading team, Mt. San Antonio College.

Mt. SAC has been nothing less than spectacular this season coming into the game with a record of 14-2-2, dominating most of their opponents this season except for Rio Hondo, who were responsible for one of their two draws this season.

For Rio, the season has been one roller coaster ride over and over again, going 9-2-8 with wins and ties coming in bunches.

Both teams hoped it would be different, with the Roadrunners still having a chance to at least share the conference if they were to win against the Mounties.

With high stakes on the line and the last game for sophomore players, both Mt. SAC and Rio played the game tightly in the first half with every attempt to score always thwarted by the other team’s defensive players.

Each team gave their best shot in the first half and it was much of the same in the second until Mt. SAC finally scratched and got the first goal.

Martin Arrieta set up Michael Flores for the opener of the game after a poor clearance by Rio led to a scramble and a 1-0 lead.

The Roadrunners tried their best to tie the game up but the number one team decided by the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Men’s Soccer Poll, effectively shut down any chance Rio Hondo had to level the game.

The loss dropped the Roadrunners to 9-3-8 overall and a third place standing in the conference with 2-1-4 record.

Rio will finish the regular season on the road playing Chaffey College Nov. 10 at 3 p.m.