SOUTH PASADENA — On a Friday night where the goal-scoring chances were scarce, the Monrovia boys soccer team made them count.

The Wildcats’ attacking duo of winger Micah Miljian and Manny Lopez nearly did enough to complete an upset of the No. 9-ranked South Pasadena but a 62nd-minute equalizer by Tigers midfielder Emilio Gonzalez from the penalty spot salvaged a 2-2 Rio Hondo League draw.

Miljian and Lopez scored their 15th and seventh goals, respectively. The duo also assisted on each other’s goal. South Pasadena junior left back Zach Millar also found the score sheet for his sixth goal this season.

“A tie is always better than a loss, but I know the boys wanted the win. I am happy we get to play them again in a couple of weeks,” South Pasadena coach Justin Wright said. “Ultimately, I am proud of the performance. We were a bit unfortunate to concede two goals .. but I give Monrovia credit for fighting.”

Through the first 10 minutes of play, the Tigers (8-2-2, 1-0-1) imposed control through methodical possession and timely pressing. South Pasadena pinned the Wildcats (9-1-4, 1-0-1) in their half before unlocking their defense in the sixth minute with a perfectly placed diagonal pass.

The cross-field pass found Millar, who sneaked past the Wildcats outside back before burying his attempt and giving South Pasadena a 1-0 lead.

Monrovia equalized six minutes later, creating a goal-scoring opportunity off a midfield turnover courtesy of the Wildcats’ dynamic duo of Lopez and Miljian.

Up until that point, the Wildcats had yet to enter the final third. But during a turnover in possession near the midfield line, Lopez quickly sprung Monrovia into a counterattack as he picked out a perfectly weighted pass over the top of the Tigers’ back line. The pass found Miljian, who pushed his attempt past an oncoming Pasadena goalkeeper for his 15th goal of the season.

“It was perfect,” Monrovia coach Andrew Barajas said of Lopez’s assist. “Lopez and Miljian) have a lot of chemistry. They’re a special duo.”

In the 26th minute, the center official sent off Monrovia’s Fernando Figueroa and South Pasadena’s Bruno Rios for an incident during a corner kick. Figueroa was shown a red card for kicking Rios during the play and the South Pasadena midfielder was sent off for clapping in response or what the official deemed as “taunting,” per his conversation with Wright.

Wright said according to high school rules, any form of taunting results in a red card.

The final 56 minutes were played 10 vs. 10 and while the Tigers continued their control,

Monrovia struck first. In the 51st minute on a corner kick, Miljian found Lopez, who floated toward the back post unmarked, for the go-ahead goal. Lopez converted his free header for the one-goal advantage.

Monrovia’s lead was short-lived as the Wildcats brought down a Tiger in the penalty area before Gonzalez ultimately buried the tying goal from the penalty spot.