IRVINE, Calif. – Freshman Erik Conriquez collected his first career goal to help Hope International forge a 1-1 draw against Soka in GSAC men's soccer action on Thursday at the OC Great Park.
Conriquez was the beneficiary of a long, looping pass from beyond the midfield line by Diego Albanez. Conriquez latched onto the pass and slid a low shot past the outstretched hand of Soka goalkeeper Eric Aparicio. The ball settled into the lower left portion of the net at the 15:12 mark for the 1-0 HIU lead.
Albanez picked up his second assist of the year.
The Royals were busy in the first half, owning an 11-4 shots advantage and forcing Aparicio into four saves.
HIU netminder Berlin Torres maintained the 1-0 advantage 10 minutes into the second half, as he dove to his left to save a penalty kick attempt by Soka's Kohtaro Goto.
Soka (4-8-2, 4-6-1 GSAC) stepped up its intensity in the second half in an effort to find the equalizer. The persistence eventually paid off in the 82nd minute as Goto – the team leader with four shots – avenged his penalty kick miss. Rudy Garcia's initial service into the box was punched away by Torres, but the deflection trickled out to Goto, who went top shelf into the upper right corner to even the score at 1-1.
Garcia earned the assist on the play.
The Royals scrapped for the go-ahead score, earning three corner kicks and firing off a pair of shots over the last six minutes, but settled for the program season record seventh tie.
HIU (3-5-7, 2-4-4 GSAC) finished the game with edges in shots (17-12) and corner kicks (8-2). The Royals also had more fouls (20-15) and yellow cards (5-1).
Albanez led the Royals with four shots. Torres and Aparicio both made four saves.
HIU travels to The Master's on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
