Women’s Soccer: The Lady Roadrunners are SCC Champions
The Rio Hondo women’s soccer team are SCC Champions after a perfect 8-0 conference run. The Lady Roadrunners defeated Pasadena City 5-0 in their last conference game on Friday, November 15. After a perfect season, they are now on their way to the Southern Regional Playoffs that will start on November 23.
Before The Match
Before the match, Rio Hondo Sophomores, Janelle Piraino, Victoria Galindo, Lismed Salcido, Vivian Viramontes, Serina Vargas, Lauren Enriquez, Zitlali Jimenez, and Serna Rosas, received flowers and gifts on their last SCC Conference game.
Eight Sophomores from the Rio Hondo squad played their last conference game. The lady Roadrunners were award with gifts before their clash against Pasadena.
Outstanding First Half Performance.
The lady Roadrunners began the match with possession of the ball, a key component for this team’s success this season. After a tough 30 minute spell, Rio Hondo found the opening goal from a set piece thanks to Vargas, who found herself free inside the box and scored past Pasadena goalkeeper Alyssa Holt. Six minutes later, Rio Hondo doubled their lead through defender Estephania Toni Gonzalez after a great assist from Viramontes.
Two minutes before half time, Rio Hondo found the third goal that gave the lady Roadrunners tranquility. Midfielder Janessa Gallardo assisted Viramontes who dribbled past Holt and netted her first goal of the match.
Comfortable Second Half
Rio started the second half strong and with a fourth goal in mind. In just two minutes of the second half, Enriquez helped Viramontes net her second goal of the match and give Rio a 4-0 lead. Eight minutes later, Vargas grabbed her second goal after a moment of poor defending from the Lancers. Pasadena began to respond, putting pressure on the Roadrunners and having control of the game, but struggled to reach the final third. Rio Hondo managed to control the game even though Pasadena were strong in the last minutes of the game.
After full time, the lady Roadrunners celebrated their win passionately. Rio Hondo head coach Jennifer Tanaka-Hoshijo was happy for the performance her girls put in.
“The coaching staff is so proud of the effort, commitment and determination this team competed with throughout the South Coast Conference,” said Tanaka- Hoshijo. “We love that the team worked relentlessly in training to prepare for their opportunities and then executed when key moments arose.”
This season was one of the best for the Lady Roadrunners. Rio Hondo kept seven clean sheets in their last eight conference matches. So far, Rio Hondo have an outstanding record of 15-1-3 including preseason. Rio Hondo will begin state playoffs on Saturday, November 23 with kickoff expected to be at 7:00 p.m. Their rival will be determined on Tuesday morning.