Rio Hondo College sophomore Vivian Viramontes scored a goal and added an assist to help lead the Roadrunners to a 2-1 non-conference win over No. 7 nationally-ranked Chaffey College on Tuesday in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Roadrunners bounced back from their first loss of the season last week (2-1 to Santa Monica) to pull off today's statement victory. Rio Hondo moved to 4-1-2 overall.
Rio Hondo set the tone early in the contest, as the tempo of the game was controlled by Janessa Gallardo, Alice Hernandez and Zitlali Jimenez. Viramontes and Serina Vargas created numerous attacking opportunities.
Rio Hondo's offensive game plan paid off as the Roadrunners netted the game's first goal in the 10th minute. Viramontes took the pass from Hernandez and deposited her shot past Chaffey goalkeeper Kelsie Doll to give the Roadrunners the lead.
The Roadrunners took a 2-0 lead into halftime when Viramontes fed Jimenez for the eventual game-winning goal just moments before the break in the 44th minute.
Chaffey cut the deficit, getting its lone goal from Niyah Sanders in the 58th minute. It was just the third goal in seven games this season Rio Hondo goalkeeper Anaguisel Ramos has allowed.
But Ramos and the Roadrunner defensive unit of Brianna Valdez, Sarah Mansur, Victoria Galindo and Lismed Salcido clamped down to smother any Chaffey opportunities throughout the rest of the game.
"We are very proud of the determination and work ethic shown by all of our players today," said Rio Hondo head coach Jennifer Tanaka-Hoshijo. "Chaffey was a great team and it was fun to watch our team take the opportunity to compete today."
Rio Hondo will look to keep the momentum going next Tuesday (Oct. 1) when the Roadrunners host Mt. San Antonio College in a 6 p.m. game.
