The 2019 Rio Hondo women’s soccer season came to an end as Saddleback bested the Roadrunners 2-1 on Saturday, November. 24 in the first round of the postseason. It was a match that started well for the home side but ended as a nightmare for the 2019 SCC Champions. The Gauchos came back after losing 1-0 to the lady Roadrunners in the first half, thanks to forward Paige Vitolo who scored two goals and sent her team to the next round. 

 All or Nothing 

As the game began, Saddleback played on the front foot in the opening stages of the clash. The Lady Roadrunners knew that this game wasn’t going to be easy for them to win. In the following few minutes, both teams began to study each other. After that, both teams began to display their tactics for the game. Rio Hondo tried to keep possession of the ball, something they had been doing all season long. Meanwhile, Saddleback looked for quick transitions in the attack with their fast wingers. 

In the 15th minute, Rio forward Vivian Viramontes almost gave the home side a 1-0 lead from a set piece but the linesmen caught her offside, putting their celebrations on hold. Minutes later, midfielder Alice Hernandez came close to opening the score with a shot but was denied by the post. The visitors responded quickly and nearly notched their first goal, but Rio goalkeeper Anaguisel Ramos came in clutch with a great save. Rio Hondo responded through midfielder Janessa Gallardo who tested goalkeeper Lehar Chawia with a long shot. Both goalkeepers saw a lot of action in the opening minutes of the match.  

After an even opening minutes, the lady Roadrunners managed to get on the scoreboard. Viramontes gave Rio Hondo the lead with a header following a cross from forward Lismed Salcido. Saddleback quickly scored the equalizer when Vitolo got a rebound inside the small box following a save from Ramos . 

Saddleback Wins it All

In the second half, the Roadrunners began to struggle. The Gauchos were the dominant side for the remaining of the game. Vitolo scored her second goal of the match after a great cross from forward Maliyah Medley. With the lead on their hands, the visitors sit back to defend.

Around the 80th minute of play, the game got its taste of controversy. Viramontes got the equalizer after Chawia let go of the ball after a save, but the referee disallowed the goal, calling that Chawia had full possession of the ball on the ground. The lady Roadrunners were unable to find the equalizer and saw their season come to an end. The home side ended the game with anger and tears, as they felt negatively affected by the referee. 

Rio Hondo head coach Jennifer Tanaka-Hoshijo spoke about the disallowed goal that could have been the equalizer. “When it comes to this kind of games, one chance can make a big difference. We didn’t feel that she had a hand on the ball, we scored the goal and they [referee] took it away,” said Tanaka-Hoshijo. Rio ended the season with a record of 15-2-3, a better record than last season. Saddleback on the other hand advanced to the next round and will take on Santa Barbara City College who defeated Ventura College in penalty kicks (4-3) after battling to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.