Men's soccer team ready for playoff action

For the past five months the Roadrunners have been though countless hours of intense training, plenty of long distance travel and 21 gut-busting games, in addition to their studies.

Throughout, the Roadrunners have faced relentless opponents who genuinely viewed them as the team to beat and they usually stopped at nothing to pull them off their game. And at times, the technique worked.

Against Santa Ana College early in the season, and after battling back from a 1-0 deficit, the team would lose focus and began to play on their heels. With 2 minutes left to play, Rio Hondo gave up an own goal that ultimately cost them the game.

On Sept. 4, Rio played an energized Oxnard team. The game was high scoring and the Rio Hondo offense was firing on all cylinders, but, the Roadrunners would give up a two goal lead with three minutes left to play. Mental mistakes on the defensive end cost the Roadrunners a vital win against a top ranked team. The game ended a 4-4 tie, but the team was extremely disappointed.

In order to be successful this playoff season against these top-notch opponents, Coach Brenes believes his Roadrunners must have the ability remedy their deficiencies. He also stressed, ".it is important to limit mistakes and take advantage of our scoring opportunities."

The Roadrunner's success can be attributed to many things like communication, commitment, tenacity, teamwork and raw talent, but if you ask any of the coaches, they would all agree that team fitness was the deciding factor. In many, if not all of the games played this season, the Roadrunners were the most conditioned team on the field. Coach Brenes said that the team's conditioning will play a "vital role" in playoff success, "the boys have worked very hard [and]hopefully we can use it to our advantage." He also said, "It will play an important part in tight games."
The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) met Tuesday Nov. 10 to determine the brackets in which the teams will play each other.

The first round of the playoffs is set to begin on Nov 21. Rio Hondo came in ranked No. 1 in the southern section and No. 2 in the state. They will automatically qualify for the second round. Mt. SAC, ranked No. 2 in the southern section, also earned a first round bye week.

Rio Hondo ended the regular season ranked second in the state with an overall record of 17-1-3. Among the top teams Rio may face in the playoffs are Mt. Sac, Cerritos, Golden West, as well as Santa Ana and Oxnard, teams that gave them problems earlier in the season.

Rio Hondo will play the winner of the first round game between #8 College of the Canyons (12-6-2) and #9 Santa Barbara (9-6-5) on Nov. 21. The second round game will take place on Nov. 24 on Rio Hondo's home field at 2PM. Tickets are priced at $8 for General Admission and $5 for students with valid student I.D, staff, seniors and children under 13.

In other news, Rio Hondo forward Willy Lopez captured the Foothill Conference Most Valuable Player award for the 2009 season. In a new season, Rio Hondo will once again stand as the team to beat. The Roadrunners know all too well that although they have an advantage as front runners, they will also garner more attention and have the most pressure to perform well. "Confidence will play an important role in the outcome," said Coach Brenes.

He and his coaching staff have full confidence in his players, but will his players have confidence in themselves?

We shall see in the coming weeks. Despite the Roadrunners success they still have yet to win a state championship.