IRVINE, Calif. – Vianni Martinez scored his first career collegiate goal on a penalty kick opportunity, helping Hope International earn a 1-1 tie against Soka in GSAC men's soccer action on Thursday at the OC Great Park.
Trailing 1-0 entering the final eight minutes of the game, the Royals pushed forward seeking the equalizer. Soka's Jake Davis was whistled for a foul inside the 18-yard box for shoving HIU's Ignacio Fonseca in the back, creating a penalty kick chance for the Royals.
Martinez stepped to the spot and buried his shot inside the right post to tie the score at 1-1.
The Royals earned the point in moving to 3-0-2 on the season. Both of their GSAC contests have resulted in ties. The Lions are now 1-1-1 overall following their GSAC opener.
HIU finally broke through after an aggressive second half in which it outshot the visitors 10-2. Both teams each had four shots in the first half.
Fonseca had the best chance at the game-winner as his shot off a set piece with 32 seconds remaining was stopped by Soka goalie Jacob Warren.
Soka took a 1-0 lead at the 5:54 mark. After a Soka clearance out of its defensive third, Rudy Garcia made a long run and connected with the ball just over the center line. He dribbled all the way into the box, poking a shot inside the near post.
The remainder of the first half was uneventful as the Lions took the 1-0 lead into halftime.
HIU finished the game with 14-6 shots advantage. Rigo Morales, Jorge Orozco, Francisco Torres and Alejandro Oropeza each had two shots.
Warren made seven saves for the Lions, while Tyler Beehler stopped two shots for the Royals.
HIU returns to action on Tuesday, September 15 against Stanton. The two teams kick off at 4:30 p.m. on the OC Great Park Field #18.
