ALISO VIEJO, Calif. – Soka erupted for three goals over a six-minute span in the second half, breaking a scoreless tie and handing visiting Hope International a 3-0 women's soccer defeat in GSAC action on Saturday at the Lions Den.
Sabrina Benjamin sandwiched a pair of goals around a Anahi Aranda strike as the Royals lost for the third time in the last four games, falling to 6-7-1 overall and 5-6-1 in GSAC play. The Lions ensured a top four finish in the conference standings as they improved to 8-5-3 on the year, including 7-4-1 in the conference.
Benjamin scored the initial goal at the 52:15 mark on a double assist from Valentina Ibañez and Arlene Yepez. Aranda found the net off a pass from Jonalynn Valdes at 57:08, and Benjamin completed the scoring on an unassisted goal in the 59th minute.
Soka goalkeeper Jazlynn Camacho earned the shutout after making four saves. HIU netminder Victoria Ruiz stopped five Lion shots.
Three Royals finished with two shots – Emely Bravo, Alyssa Caton and Karissa Frerichs.
HIU is still in contention for the sixth and final bid to the GSAC Tournament. The Royals currently sit in sixth place with 16 points. They can clinch a berth in the tournament on Tuesday if Life Pacific either ties or loses to La Sierra.
However, a Life Pacific win sets up a showdown next Thursday for the final tournament berth. In that scenario, HIU would qualify for the GSAC Tournament with a win or tie against the Warriors. But a loss to LPU would enable the Warriors to wrest the No. 6 seed away from the Royals.
The final regular season game against Life Pacific doubles as Senior Day for HIU. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. inside the OC Great Park Stadium.
