South Coast Conference In Full Gear

With two league matches under its belt, Rio Hondo College’s men’s soccer team began the South Coast Conference appropriately.

A road draw at LA Harbor Friday, Oct. 11 was followed by a 5-2 home rout over Compton Tuesday at Rio Hondo’s soccer stadium. In game three of an eight-game-long SCC, the Roadrunners will be on the road for the second straight Friday to face El Camino in Torrance, Calif today, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m..

Coming into the game having tied Long Beach City 1-1 Tuesday on the road, the Warriors, seventh best in California Community College Athletic Association’s power points system ranking, benefited from a second-half penalty to salvage a draw against the Vikings.

Four days earlier, it took Cerritos, the second best team in the state according to the CCCAA’s power rankings, to snap El Camino’s nine game undefeated streak to start its season. A 4-1 loss to the Falcons Friday was the first time any opposing team scored more than one goal against the Warriors in the game.

Best of the Rest

The Warriors heavy defeat to Cerritos looks to be a good sign for the Roadrunners as the SCC regular season championship appears to be a battle between CCCAA no. 1 ranked Mt. San Antonio and Cerritos. While the rest of the bunch look to battle for third place. El Camino, Rio Hondo, LA Harbor and Long Beach are the expected teams to fight for the third spot.

It makes today’s matchup for the Roadrunners against the Warriors crucial. Overall, clinching a spot in the Southern California Regionals is all Rio seeks. Performing well is necessary for future positions in the knockout tournament where anything can happen. It means beating everyone in the SCC aside from Mt. SAC and Cerritos while attempting a draw against those two will go a long way in the team’s goal to qualify for playoffs.

Against Compton Tuesday, main striker Federico Hurtado was back in form as his two goals put Rio Hondo up 2-0 before pacey winger Havier Zaragoza doubled the Roadrunners tally with two of his own. Midfielder Abraham Figueroa added one late and two Tartar goals completed the scoring.

Can Rio Earn Result Against Cerritos?

After today’s game, the Roadrunners will welcome Cerritos to Whittier, Calif. Tuesday, Oct. 22. Undefeated all season, it’ll be one of those matches the Roadrunners have nothing to lose and everything to gain with a solid performance. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m..