Wednesday, Sept. 26, Rio Hondo men’s water polo (2-10) hosted Cerritos College (8-2) in its third South Coast Conference matchup of the season. Looking to be an easy victory for the Cerritos Falcons, Rio would not budge until the fourth quarter. Four Roadrunners registered a pair of goals in a close 13 to 9 loss to Cerritos

Right from the sprint the Roadrunners went up one, due to a goal from no. 17 freshman Matthew Alvarez on a step out shot from set, exhilarating the crowd and creating an intense energy on the pool deck. Cerritos would then respond with two back-to-back goals. Rio Hondo would ultimately end the first quarter with a 4 to 3 lead over the Falcons.

Throughout the first half, Rio and Cerritos would trade multiple goals. In the second quarter the Roadrunners were pulling away, due to a two goal lead off a post up by no. 2 Pablo Segura. With 40 seconds left in the first half the Roadrunners gave up a crucial goal to no. 7  Arturo Ortuno cutting there lead within one.

Cerritos counter attack seemed to be too much for Rio Hondo’s defense. The Roadrunners would only find the back of the net once from a lob shot from no. 6 Jacob Ayala. Cerritos would hold the Roadrunners to only seven goals, while they piled on 3 goals to have their first lead of the game 8 to 7 leading into the fourth quarter.

With the shift in energy the Roadrunners tied the game back up at 9 to 9 respectively with goals from no. 8 Daniel Lozano and no. 17 Matthew Alvarez. This would be as close as they get, as Cerritos finished the game scoring the last 4 goals. Rio Hondo will play again this weekend at the Cerritos Mini Tournament starting September, 28th.