Prescott, AZ – The No. 19 Hope International women's soccer team (10-1-1, 7-0-1 GSAC) tied with the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles on Saturday evening in Prescott, Arizona, at the Varsity Field Soccer Stadium.
The Eagles started the game off with an early challenge in the first minute of the game. The Royals goalie
Haley Slouka managed to block the Eagles shot on goal, setting the tone for a strong goalkeeping performance. In the 7
th minute, the Royals were presented with their first chance to score off a corner kick by
Brandi Valdez, but their offense struggled to capitalize on the opportunity. Again, in the 16
th and 22
nd minutes, the Royals players
Bela Ochoa and
Christiane Sundstrom had two exciting shot attempts; However, Ochoa's shot missed high and Sundstrom's missed wide. The Eagles did not ease up on their offensive aggressiveness and took shots in the 17
th and 23
rd minute that were both saved by the Royals
Haley Slouka. The Royals
Emma Viayra took a shot in the 42
nd minute that missed wide. While the Royals controlled the field well defensively, they were unable to break through on offense keeping the score at 0-0 to end the first half.
In the second half, the Royals continued to show resilience. In the 59
th minute the Royals created a scoring chance but could not find the back of the net. The Eagles continued testing Slouka with a high shot attempt in the 60
th minute and a wide shot attempt in the 65
th. Sundstrom had another shot on goal in the 64
th minute that went wide and Valdez's shot in the 68
th minute also went wide. One of Hope's best chances came in the 80
th minute, however, Kaillie Agular's shot was saved by the Eagles goalkeeper. Despite several corner kicks and attempts to push forward, the Royals could not capitalize offensively and ended the game tied with the Eagles at 0-0. Defensively,
Haley Slouka played the full 90 minuets and recorded 9 saves.
The Royals continue play as they travel to Surprise, AZ, to face the Ottawa University Arizona Spirit on Wednesday, October 16th, at 5:00 PM.