IRVINE, Calif. – Emma Valenzuela scored a 83rd minute goal to help the Hope International women's soccer team battle to a 1-1 tie against Park Gilbert on Thursday at the OC Great Park.

Valenzuela moved into a three-way tie for the team goals lead with Jacinda Rivera and Shelby Kain, notching her sixth of the season. Kira Christenson was credited with her first assist of the season.

The Royals (9-6-2, 6-4-2, GSAC) controlled the possession battle and scoring opportunities for a majority of the match, owning a 21-4 shots advantage.

But in soccer, a team needs to capitalize on just one opportunity to create havoc, and Park Gilbert did that in the 56th minute.

The Buccaneers (5-9-3, 3-6-3 GSAC) launched a counterattack and a long pass met the foot of Lauren Runnion. The team's leading scorer took several dribbles before sending a shot into the netting for her 10th goal of the year.

HIU nearly equalized in the 81st minute as an Indi Stum header was saved off the goal line by Riley Schroeder.

However, two minutes later the Royals capitalized on another scoring chance. Christenson lobbed a high pass from the left flank to the far post, where Valenzuela cranked a one-timer past Park Gilbert goalie Morgan Trail.

The score remained tied for the 1st of the match. HIU goalie Brittany Hazelton made an 88th minute save and Trail stopped a Brandi Valdez shot in the 89th.

Valenzuela topped all Royals with five shots. Hazelton made one save and Trail collected six for the visitors.

Following the match's conclusion, the Royals celebrated Senior Day for 11 players – Valdez, Bela Ochoa, Stum, Annie Holst, Kain, Sam Ceballos, Frida Vizcarra, Larissa Perez, Jordan Galvin, Hazelton and Francesca Pereira.

The Royals play their regular season finale on Saturday against Arizona Christian with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at the OC Great Park.