Men’s Soccer: Fuentes game-winner gives Rio Hondo 3-2 win at Pasadena

Photo by Richard Quinton/PCC Sports Information
Photo by Richard Quinton/PCC Sports Information

Joseph Fuentes' goal in the 78th minute broke a 2-2 tie and proved to be the game-winner for Rio Hondo College as the Roadrunners defeated Pasadena City College 3-2 at PCC on Tuesday in a South Coast Conference North Division game.

With the victory, Rio Hondo improved to 8-2-3 overall and 2-1-1 in SCC North play while Pasadena dropped to 2-5-3 and 0-3-1.

Despite the final score, the Roadrunners dominated the contest offensively. Rio Hondo outshot Pasadena by a 20-8 margin, including 11-5 in the second half.

But it was the Lancers that scored first, getting a goal from Anthony Jimenez in the 20th minute. Rio Hondo answered just moments later as Abel Machuca took the cross pass from Carlos Zarate and blasted his shot from 15 yards out past PCC goalkeeper Kristopher Gutierrez in the 21st minute to send the game into halftime tied 1-1.

Zarate scored in the 54th minute off the assist from Christian Bernabe to put the Roadrunners back out in front, but the Lancers responded in the 71st thanks to a goal by Pablo Buenrostro.

Seven minutes later, Rio Hondo capitalized on a corner kick to put in the go-ahead goal. Fuentes was able to track down Zarate's wide pass and nailed his shot from 22 yards out for the eventual game-winner.

Goalkeepers Jesus Rendon (45:00, 1 save) and Jose Paredes (45:00, 2 saves) each allowed a goal and combined for the win for Rio Hondo.

Up next for the Roadrunners, they will travel to take on Compton College on Friday (Oct. 13) at 2 p.m. in a SCC interdivision game.