IRVINE, Calif. – Jorge Orozco, Matthias Alcaraz and Rigo Morales all scored across a five-minute stretch in the first half as the Hope International men's soccer team rolled to a 3-0 win against Pacific Union in the 2026 season opener on Thursday at the OC Great Park.
Orozco and Morales each netted their first goals in a Royals uniform, while Alcaraz notched his fifth career strike.
The Royals dominated possession and outshot the Pioneers 27-2 for the game. Head coach Benjamin Jordon emptied his bench as 28 different HIU players saw the pitch, with 17 recording at least one shot.
The Royals struck first in the 24th minute as Orozco got fouled inside the 18-yard box. He stepped to the spot and placed his shot into the lower left corner for the 1-0 HIU lead.
HIU made the score 2-0 at the 27:29 mark as Julian Benitez sent a long through ball up the middle, latching onto Alcaraz, who beat three Pioneer defenders and slotted his shot just inside the left post.
A little over a minute later, the Royals tacked on their third goal. Freddy Mora launched a long throw in from the left side into the box, where Morales poked his shot past Pacific Union goalkeeper Youssef Mahrish.
Wyatt Schaap and Tyler Beehler each played a half in goal for the Royals. Schaap made one save and earned the win. Mahrish stopped six shots for the Pioneers.
HIU returns to action on Tuesday, September 1 against Westcliff at 4:30 p.m. on Field 18 at the OC Great Park.
