Fullerton, CA - The Hope International Women's soccer team (2-1) bounced back from their first loss of the season as they took down SOKA University of America on Saturday evening in Aliso Viejo, CA.

The Royals came out attacking hard in the first half as they created numerous opportunities but failed to breakthrough while their defense held the Lions scoreless as the game went into halftime 0-0. The Royals continued to press hard and would finally breakthrough in the 49th minute as Lauren Lizarraga whipped in a great corner kick that Pressley Honeycutt deposit into the bottom corner to put the Royals ahead 1-0. The Royals didn't let off the pressure as they scored again as Oliva Tostado fed a great through ball to Santiago Canyon College transfer Keyla Fragoso who finished into the lower right corner to put the Royals up 2-0 in the 57th minute. Fragoso and the Royals weren't done though as she scored again in the 63rd minute off an excellent cross from Tostado to make it 3-0. The Royals would need that cushion as the Lions got on the board in the 72nd minute to cut the Royals lead to 3-1. That seemed to reinvigorate the Lions as they scored a second goal a few minutes later in the 76th minute off a free kick to make it 3-2. Sensing an opportunity the Lions pressed forward looking for an equalizer but that allowed the Royals to create several counterattack opportunities which they finally cashed in on in the last minute of the game. It was Ryley Candelario who played a pass to Fragoso who chipped the ball over the Lions keeper for her hat trick as the Royals came away with a 4-2 victory.

The Royals continue their season at home on Monday, August 29 as they take on Caltech at OC Great Park Field 18 in Irvine, CA