Fullerton, CA - The Hope International Women's soccer team (1-0) opened the season with a 2-1 victory over the Southern Oregon University Raiders at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, CA. The win marks the third consecutive season that the Royals have opened up their regular season schedule win.

The first half was very defensive as neither team managed to produce many scoring chances with the best one coming for the Royals midway through the first quarter. Neither team managed to break through though as the game was scoreless going into halftime. The second quarter featured more opportunities with the Raiders pressing forward more, but it was the Royals who would breakthrough on the scoresheet first as UC Irvine transfer Sarah Ralston put home a bouncing ball in the box from Keyla Fragoso to make it 1-0 at 56:13. With the Royals ahead the Raiders pressed forward knowing that they needed a goal, but that allowed the Royals to strike once more on the counterattack as Shelbi Payne laid a beautiful ball across the box which Marymount transfer Olga Luna smashed home at 80:45 to increase the advantage to 2-0. The Raiders weren't deterred though as they pulled a goal back moments later off the restart at 81:37 to make it 2-1. The Royals defense would then shutdown any thought of a comeback as they did a good job of holding onto the ball in their half of the field and ran out the clock as they opened the season with a big 2-1 win. In her first start for the Royals Cal State Bakersfield transfer Haley Slouka recorded three saves in 90 minutes in goal. Overall the Royals outshot the Raiders 15-7 with 6 shots on target to 5.

The Royals continue their season at home as they take on Westcliff University on Thursday August 25 at 4:30 PM at the OC Great Park in Irvine, CA.