Men's soccer team ready for playoff action
David Leos
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Sports
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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.
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