Riverside, Calif. – The men's soccer team was unable to make an early lead stand-up, in Thursday's 2-1 loss to Hope International University. It was the first of four non-conference matches not to go into overtime. It was also the final match of a 4-match homestand to start the season. The loss drops the team to 1-2-1 on the season.
La Sierra took an early 1-0 lead when Mario Calderon, off of a feed from Ivan Villagrana, found the back of the net, in the 11thminute of play. The Golden Eagles, with the help of seven saves, from goalkeeper Javier Lopez, took the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
The Golden Eagles had a prime opportunity to push their lead to two goals, but they were unable to convert a penalty kick. Royals goalkeeper, Oscar Sierra thwarted Israel Vasquez's penalty kick which immediately fed the Royals squad with a boost of energy, which would eventually vault them to victory.
Just minutes after stopping the Golden Eagles, the Royals were awarded a penalty kick, which Christopher Ribet converted to tie the score at 1-1. Approximately 30 seconds after scoring the tying goal, Ribet scored the eventual game-winner off of an assist from Angel Florez.
The Royals finished the match with a distinct advantage in total shots (29-16) and shots-on-goal (12-6)
Next Up: Next Friday, September 13, the men's soccer team will travel to The Master's University (Santa Clarita, Calif.) for their first road test of the season. La Sierra has an 0-3 overall record against the Mustangs. The two programs last played in 2017, in Riverside, when The Master's squeaked out a 3-2 victory over the Golden Eagles. Friday's match will be the first of two straight road matches for La Sierra. The two road matches will also serve as the final tune-ups before the team opens Cal Pac play, at home, against California State University – Maritime, on September 26.
