SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Diego Albanez and Chris Loera notched second half goals to spur the Hope International men's soccer team to a 2-1 comeback victory over The Master's on Saturday at Reese Field.
The Royals halted a five-match winless streak and avenged an earlier loss this season to the Mustangs. It marked the first time this season HIU overcame a deficit to earn a victory.
Albanez and Loera came off the bench to provide the Royals the necessary offense.
After a scoreless first half in which HIU outshot TMU 7-2, the Royals fell into a 1-0 deficit six minutes into the second stanza. The Mustangs caught the Royals on a quick throw-in, getting the ball to Matt Picht, who raced up the left side and one-touched a cross into the middle of the box. Benja Mugabi knocked the ball in to the lower right corner.
But the Royals equalized 12 minutes later with Albanez connecting for his fourth goal of the season. Christian Hernandez led Matthias Alcaraz with a perfectly timed pass on the right side of the box. Alcaraz slid a cross across the box, finding a waiting Albanez for the strike into the upper left corner.
Alcaraz picked up his second assist of the season.
The Royals struck for the game-winner at the 68:16 mark. Playing in just his seventh match this season and making his first appearance since September 20, Loera freed himself up and beat a TMU defender to his left, hitting a side angle shot into the right netting for the 2-1 lead.
It was the first career goal for Loera.
HIU averted danger in the 73rd minutes as Jo Yokota's shot hit the right post.
The Royal defense held strong as goalkeeper Tyler Beehler, making his first start of the season, made one of his three saves late in the game.
HIU held a slight 11-10 lead in shots and 4-0 advantage in corner kicks. There were 44 fouls called in the game, 24 on HIU.
The Royals return home on Thursday, October 30 for Senior Day against Park Gilbert. The ceremony will be held in the OC Great Park Stadium prior to the 4:30 p.m. kickoff.
