Women's Soccer: Rio Hondo starts season unbeaten in Ventura

Sophomore Brianna Banda totaled 10 saves in goal over two games at the Ventura College tournament.
Sophomore Brianna Banda totaled 10 saves in goal over two games at the Ventura College tournament.

Coming off a 2015 CCCAA State Championship finals appearance, the Rio Hondo College women's soccer team is once again off to a fast start with a win and a tie at the season-opening Nike Soccer Community College Soccer Showcase at Ventura College. On Thursday, the Roadrunners earned a scoreless draw and came back on Friday to pull out a 1-0 victory over Fresno City College.

Rio Hondo fired off 12 shots, including six shots on goal in the scoreless battle with Moorpark. On the other end of the field, sophomore Brianna Banda was impressive in her Rio Hondo debut in goal. The Hope International University transfer hauled in seven saves to keep the Roadrunners in the game.

Banda was once again solid in goal for Rio Hondo in the win over Fresno. She totaled another five saves and combined with freshman Jenny Garcia to post the Roadrunners' second consecutive shutout. Garcia also had five saves in the win.

Freshman Viviana Viramontes netted the lone goal of the match off the assist from sophomore Daisy Gallegos. Rio Hondo totaled 10 shots in the contest.

Rio Hondo, now 1-0-1, returns to action on Wednesday (Sep. 7) when the Roadrunners host Orange Coast College in their home opener at 4 p.m. Rio Hondo is home again on Friday (Sep. 9) to face Fullerton College in a 6 p.m. non-conference game.