Men's Soccer: Rio Hondo avenges playoff loss with win at IVC

The Rio Hondo College men's soccer team returned to the same field where its playoff run came to an end last season, but on Friday it was the Roadrunners that picked up a narrow 1-0 victory over the Irvine Valley College Lasers in both teams' 2017 season opener.

Rio Hondo scored on its first chance of the game in the 12th minute and that would be all the offense the Roadrunners would need.

Moses Gutierrez blasted a shot from the left side that hit off the right post. But Christian Bernabe was there for the rebound and goal to put Rio Hondo ahead, 1-0.

Holding a narrow lead for the remainder of the contest, Rio Hondo goalkeeper Jesus Rendon and the Roadrunner defense withstood an offensive barrage by Irvine Valley in the second half. The Lasers outshot Rio Hondo 14-3 in the second, with many of those shots coming during the final 25 minutes of the contest.

Rendon ended with eight saves for the Roadrunners in posting the first shutout of the season.

Rio Hondo, now 1-0, returns to non-conference action on Tuesday (Sep. 29) at 6 p.m. when the Roadrunners host San Bernardino Valley College in their home opener in Whittier.