IRVINE, Calif. – Six different Hope International players scored goals in a lopsided 6-0 victory over Nobel on a warm Wednesday morning at the OC Great Park.
Vincent Lopez, Isidro Rios, Diego Albanez, Matthias Alcaraz, Daniel Garcia and Norgin Quintanilla found the back of the net as the Royals picked up their first victory of the season, improving to 1-1-1 overall.
HIU outshot the Knights 17-10 and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Knights fell to 1-4-0 overall.
Berlin Torres, Wyatt Schaap and Tyler Beehler all saw action in net for the Royals. Torres started the first half and saved the only shot against him. He earned the victory. Schaap made one save and Beehler corralled two.
It was the second goal of the season for Lopez. Albanez added an assist on Quintanilla's strike, giving the senior forward a three-point match.
The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. HIU drew a foul in the box for a penalty kick opportunity. Lopez's attempt was snuffed out by Nobel goalkeeper Pablo Molinos, but the rebound deflected straight to Lopez, who calmly deposited the follow up into an open net.
HIU doubled its lead in the 23rd minute as a Nobel defender misplayed a clearance. The ball rolled to Rios, who stuck a 30 foot laser into the upper right corner.
HIU scored two more times to take a 4-0 lead into halftime. Albanez scored just 32 seconds after Rios, latching onto a perfect cross inside the box from Christian Hernandez. Albanez headed in his attempt for the 3-0 HIU advantage.
Alcaraz netted the fourth HIU goal, tapping his shot in from 12 yards out following a back pass from the endline from Roberto Estrada.
The Royals substituted freely in the second half with the big lead in tow, getting goals from Garcia in the 72nd minute and Quintinilla in the 87th.
Nobel's best chance at a goal occurred in the 83rd minute when Elijah Kwatsinu's attempt clanged off the crossbar.
HIU plays next on Wednesday, September 10 against Eastern Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the OC Great Park Stadium.
