Long Beach City College freshman forward Manuel Larios (Millikan HS) scored three goals, including the game-winner in the 63rd minute, to help lead the Vikings to a 3-2 non-conference win over visiting Rio Hondo College on Tuesday at LBCC.
The win evened Long Beach's record at 3-3 overall while Rio Hondo dropped to 2-4-2 this season.
Larios opened the scoring with a laser left-footed shot from about 22 yards away in the 25th minute. Sophomore defender Ismael Ayala (Millikan HS) fed him with a breakaway pass down the right sideline that he was able to put away by Rio Hondo keeper Edward Maya.
After the halftime break, Rio Hondo turned up its offensive attack. In the 47th minute, Emmanuel Varela headed in a corner kick from Francisco Torres to tie the game, 1-1.
Larios put Long Beach in front again when he redirected a cross pass from freshman Anthony Dheming (Duke Ellington HS) past Rio Hondo goalkeeper Luis Sanchez in the54th minute.
The Roadrunners came right back two minutes later with another equalizer when Varela scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway pass from Jaime Ayala.
Larios saved his best for last with the go-ahead goal in the 63rd minute. After a scramble in front of the net, Larios took the loose ball, spun past a defender and Sanchez in goal and buried his shot to give the Vikings the lead for good.
After Rio Hondo's Michael Palmer was ejected from the game with a red card in the 70th minute, the Vikings were able to control the contest and hold on for the win.
Freshman Luis Anguiano (Bellflower HS) had two saves in goal for Long Beach.
For Rio Hondo, Maya had two first-half saves, while Sanchez picked up three saves over the final 45 minutes.
The Vikings play the third of four straight home games on Friday (Sep 21) when they host Taft College in a doubleheader with the LBCC women's soccer team. The women play at 2 pm, followed by the men at 4. The games will also be broadcast live online at www.lbccvikings.com by SoCalCollegeSports.com.
