IRVINE, Calif. – Facing its first deficit of the season, the Hope International men's soccer team rebounded behind three second half goals from Matthias Alcaraz to upend visiting College of Idaho, 3-1, on Friday at the OC Great Park.
Alcaraz continued his red hot start to the season, scoring for the third straight game and increasing his season total to a conference-leading six goals. He became the 12th player in program history to record a hat trick. The junior was active throughout the contest as he collected a match-high 10 shots – seven of which were on goal – and helped the Royals hold a 30-9 edge in shots for the game.
After a scoreless first half in which the Royals (3-0-0) outshot the Yotes 12-3, the home team fell into a 1-0 hole coming out of the halftime break. College of Idaho delivered a free kick into the box, with Chris Slater heading the ball across the goal and onto the waiting foot of Jake Anderson. Anderson scooted his shot into the lower left corner at the 46:08 mark.
The lead was short-lived as the Royals found the equalizer five minutes later. Alcaraz outraced a Yotes defender to the right and fired a low laser past a diving Fynn Gehring and inside the left post for a 52nd minute goal.
The Royals continued to pressure and gained the 2-1 lead at the 59:11 mark. Rigo Morales beat his defender on the right side and dropped a cross to Alcaraz, who again beat Gehring to the far post.
HIU added an insurance goal in the 86th minute, reversing course from the left to right side. Omar Arriaga found Allan Gonzalez on the right flank. Gonzalez connected with a perfectly timed pass to Alcaraz, who had the angle and buried his shot inside the left post for his third goal.Â
Morales and Gonzalez recorded their first assists of the year on HIU's final two goals.
Erick Cabrera added five shots for the busy Royal offense, with Vianni Martinez chipping in four.
Alfie Roffey led the Yotes (0-3-1) with three shots.
Playing the final 34 minutes in goal, sophomore Tyler Beehler earned the victory for the Royals after making four saves.
The Royals return to action on Tuesday for the GSAC opener at La Sierra. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
