Glendale, AZ - The Hope International University women's soccer team (14-3-2) came from behind to take down No. 21 OUAZ 3-2 to win their second ever GSAC Tournament Championship in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, AZ
The Royals dominated the first half as they outshot the Spirit 11-2. Sarah Ralston had a chance in the 15th minute to open the scoring but it didn't challenge the keeper. The Royals continued to push forward and had a great chance again as Ryley Candelario came close but the Spirit keeper made a great save to keep it out. The Royals defense meanwhile completely shutdown the Spirit allowing no shots on target in the first half as the game went into halftime 0-0.
The Spirit came out of halftime with a new game plan as they started on the attack and it didn't take them long to break the deadlock as they scored in the 48th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The Royals didn't give in as they pushed for the equalizer and would find it in the 70th minute as a Christiane Sundstrom found Ryley Canderlaio who blasted a shot into the upper corner to tie it 1-1. The Royals then seized the momentum and scored the go ahead goal in the 78th minute as Keyla Fragoso unloaded a shot into the top corner from about 20 yards out to put the Royals up 2-1. The Spirit though battled back to tie it 2-2 in the 83rd minute as the game was tied at the end of regulation.
The tie wouldn't last long as the Royals came out fired up to start overtime and broke the deadlock quickly as Ralston curled in a lovely free kick at the near post to put the Royals back ahead 3-2 in the 90th minute. The Royals continued to push for more while also shutting down the Spirit's offense as they emerged with the 3-2 win. Haley Slouka played all 110 minutes in goal and recorded four saves.
On the win Head Coach Scott Dement says, "Congratulations to Coach Skelly and his team, this was an unbelievable final. I want to thank our administration, our training staff, or AD, SID and especially my coaching staff for sharing in my vision all season long. We knew we had a special group on the first day of camp. Our team was built for moments like today. My players have worked so hard all season long and deserve this recognition. I feel blessed to be their coach and honored to call them Champions! It's been a historic season so far, but we're not done yet. We still have one goal left to compete on the National stage!"
With the win the Royals punch their ticket to the NAIA Championships for the third time. Tune into the NAIA selection show on Monday, November 13 at 10:00 AM to learn who they will face and where they will be headed.
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