IRVINE, Calif. – Senior Karissa Frerichs earned her first career brace with the Hope International women's soccer team, celebrating her birthday with a pair of goals in a 2-0 victory over OUAZ on Saturday at the OC Great Park.
Frerichs netted goals four and five on the season, and recorded the game-winning strike against her former team for the second year in a row. The Corona native played with the Spirit for two seasons before transferring to HIU.
The Royals came out aggressive against the Spirit, firing off five shots over the first 25 minutes and forcing OUAZ goalkeeper Eerika Erjansalo into three early saves. But the game remained scoreless until the 31-minute mark.
HIU's Kalia Lanoza took a corner kick and had the ball fed back to her on the right flank. She lofted a beautiful pass toward the far post, where Frerichs steered her header into the net for the 1-0 lead. Lanoza collected her third assist on the play.
The Royals had an 8-3 advantage in shots as they took the 1-0 lead into halftime.
The home side played a defensive-minded second half, taking just a pair of shots over the final 45 minutes.
But the Royals made the most of their one opportunity and Frerichs was at the center, as she got open on a breakaway and collected her second goal of the game in the 71st minute.
OUAZ outshot HIU 6-2 in the second half, but did not really threaten Royal goalkeeper Victoria Ruiz, who made two saves in securing her second shutout of the season. Erjansalo stopped five shots for the Spirit.
Frerichs and Angely Puga led the Royals with three shots apiece.
HIU is now 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the GSAC this season. OUAZ fell to 3-4-3 overall and 2-3-2 in conference play.
The Royals host their second-to-last regular season home game on Tuesday when they welcome La Sierra to the OC Great Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on the Stadium field.
