ALISO VIEJO, Calif. – Hope International gave up goals in the 33rd and 83rd minutes to host Soka, falling 2-0 in a GSAC women's soccer battle on Wednesday at the Lions Den.
The Royals fell to 5-3-0 on the season and lost their first GSAC contest. HIU is now 2-1-0 in conference play. Soka improved to 4-1-3 overall and moved to 3-1 in the GSAC.
Soka outshot HIU 8-5 and held a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks. The foul count was even at 6-6.
Indi Stum led the Royals with two shots. Madison Lopez, Karissa Frerichs and Kalia Lanoza each took one shot.
The Lions took a 1-0 lead at the 32:59 mark. HIU goalkeeper Victoria Ruiz dove to stop a dangerous ball in the penalty area, but she could not corral it. The ball instead squirted out to Sienna Gomez, who found a wide open net for the 1-0 lead.
Soka added a second goal late in the second half, utilizing a long run up the left sideline. A long cross in front of HIU's goal was deflected by a Royal defender and into the net. The own goal put Soka up 2-0.
Ruiz made one save, while Soka goalkeeper Mackinzie Stenstrom stopped two shots.
The Royals finished their six-match roadtrip with a 3-3 record. They now turn their attention to The Master's, which they host on Saturday at the OC Great Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
