Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Hope International University

MS vs ACU
Liza Rosales
2
Arizona Christian (A ACU (7-8-4)
3
Winner Hope International HIU (13-3-3)
Arizona Christian (A ACU
(7-8-4)
2
Final
3
Hope International HIU
(13-3-3)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT-2 OT 1 F
Arizona Christian (A ACU 2 0 0 0 2
Hope International HIU 0 2 0 1 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Robert Nilsen

Torres Sends Royals to GSAC Final With Double OT Winner

Irvine, CA – The Hope International men's soccer team (13-3-3) won their fifth game in a row as they overcame a 2-0 first half deficit to take down the Arizona Christian University Firestorm 3-2 in sudden death double overtime in a thrilling GSAC Semifinal win on Saturday evening at the OC Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA. 

The Royals started out on the attack but were unable to generate any real opportunities early on. The Firestorm then grew into the game and started creating chances on the counterattack as they opened the scoring in the 28th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later the Firestorm doubled their lead as they took advantage of a no call on the other end before racing down the field for a counterattack goal to make it 2-0 in the 30th minute. The Royals then huddled up inside their own half as they looked to regroup. The Royals then pushed forward looking for a goal as they had two opportunities from Andy Cabrera and Vincent Lopez but neither were able to finish as the Royals went into halftime down 2-0.

The Royals made a lot of substitutions to start the second half as they looked for a response. The Royals then completely dominated the second half as they had a barrage of opportunities but it wasn't until 15 minutes to go that they finally broke through as Josh Askins Jr whipped a great ball into the box to Vincent Lopez who found Jorge Perez who finished for his second goal of the season to make it 2-1 in the 75th minute. The Royals then switched things up as they took off goalie Berlin Torres and put him in the field while Milton Herrera took over in goal. That move would pay off quickly as Torres found Christian Hernandez for the equalizer in the 85th minute to tie it 2-2. The Royals then went looking for the winner as Perez came close minutes later but was unable to finish as the game headed to overtime.

The Royals continued their momentum to start overtime as they had chance after chance with Bill Sanchez coming close on three different header opportunities. The Firestorm then had a chance to win it on the counterattack in the closing minute but the shot was just over the bar as the game remained 2-2 at the end of the first overtime. The Firestorm then had a series of chances to start the second overtime period but Herrera made two big saves to deny them. The Royals then found the winner with five minutes to go as Perez eluded his defender passed to Uriel Sanchez who found Torres in the box who smashed the ball home in the 105th minute for his second goal of the season to win it 3-2 for the Royals. Torres played 74 minutes in goal with two saves while Herrera pick up the win playing the final 30 minutes with two saves.

With the win the Royals advance to the GSAC Tournament Championship for the second year in a row for a rematch as they take on The Master's University Mustangs on Thursday, November 14 at Titan Stadium at Cal State Fullerton.

 

Print Friendly Version