SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The Hope International men's soccer team fell 4-0 to The Master's in GSAC action on Wednesday at Reese Field.
The Mustangs received two goals and an assist from Trent Rickard, including a penalty kick that handed TMU a 1-0 lead in the first half.
Jaime Dominguez and Zenden Berbari also scored for the Mustangs, which held a 22-12 shots advantage.
TMU's first goal was set up after a foul call in the box on HIU goalkeeper Tyler Beehler, who tried to hunt down a loose ball following a free kick from Rickard. Rickard took the penalty kick opportunity and buried his shot to the lower left corner.
Another HIU foul led to TMU's second goal. Rickard lofted a pass from 40 yards out into the box. Zach Bates headed the pass to Silas Chavez, who poked the ball across the goal mouth to the waiting Dominguez. Dominguez shoved the ball into a wide open net for the 2-0 lead.
HIU trailed 2-0 at halftime after getting outshot 9-4. The Royals also found themselves a man down after defender Christopher Ferrufino was whistled for a red card with 15 minutes remaining in the first half.
Beehler prevented a third goal with an outstanding save on a header attempt from Bates as he knocked the ball over the crossbar.
The Royals (4-3-3, 1-2-3 GSAC) stepped up their offensive pressure in the second half. Ignacio Fonseca forced TMU goalkeeper Franco Barba into a save similar to Beehler's, as Barba tipped the shot over the crossbar. Anthony Youssef also had a point blank attempt in the 87th minute but Barba corralled it for the save.
TMU added a pair of goals in the 62nd and 83rd minutes as Rickard deposited his second of the game followed by Berbari's.
The Mustangs (5-3-2, 4-1-0 GSAC) finished with a 22-12 shots advantage, led by Rickard's six attempts.
Beehler made a career-best eight saves.
The Royals host OUAZ on Saturday at the OC Great Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
