IRVINE, Calif. – Vincent Lopez and Rafa Gonzalez tallied goals four minutes apart in the second half to propel the Hope International men's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout of Arizona Christian on Saturday at the OC Great Park.

The Royals finished the 2025 campaign on a four-match unbeaten streak, posting a 6-5-7 overall record and 5-4-4 mark in the GSAC. The Firestorm fell to 10-5-3 overall and 7-4-2 in conference play.

HIU controlled the offensive half for a majority of the contest, building a 20-6 shots advantage, including 10-2 in the first half. 

The teams battled to a scoreless first half, and the scoreboard saw no action until the 74th minute.

ACU was whistled for a takedown in the box, setting up a penalty kick opportunity for Lopez. The senior drilled his shot right down the middle as the ACU keeper dove to his right. Lopez added his team-leading seventh tally of the season as HIU led 1-0.

The Royals doubled their lead in the 78th minute. Brian Lieu took a throw-in on the right side and found Gonzalez near the endline. Gonzalez faked to his right and turned to his left, hitting a shot to the near post that eluded the ACU goalie. Gonzalez made it 2-0 on his second goal of the year.

The second half intensified as both teams sustained red cards – Harry Lea-Oddy for ACU and Berlin Torres for HIU.

Fouls ended up tied 21-21 with four additional yellow cards to HIU and one for ACU.

Lopez led the Royals with four shots. HIU goalie Tyler Beehler picked up the shutout with two saves.

ACU goalie Dustin Rogers stopped five shots.