Strong Second Half Not Enough For HIU Royals

Pomona, CA- Attempting to fight off the triple digit heat on Wednesday afternoon, Hope International of Fullerton came out sluggish against Pomona-Pitzer. Though they had their chances in the second half, the Royals came short 1-0 against the Sagehens. Sophomore Jordan Escoto (pictured) put both of her shots for the match on target.

The first almost twenty minutes was controlled by the Sagehens (1-1). Finally, Junior Kristen Enriquez connected with the Royals' first shot of the day that forced Sagehen goalie Emma Wolfarth to make the save. But that was HIU's only shot of the half.

In the second half, the Royals (0-2) as described by Head Coach Andrew Paine "had long stretches of good soccer."

A few minutes into the half, HIU earned two corners sandwiched around a shot blocked off the foot of Junior Kara Hazen.

Escoto subbed into the match around the 66th minute and produced a strong final almost 25 minutes that included firing off a shot a few minutes after checking in that required a save. In the 79th minute, Escoto put another shot on goal but was turned away.

Unfortunately for the Royals, between Escoto's shots on goal, the Sagehens used a cross from the right side that found Erin Edmonds 12 yards out and she gave Pomona-Pitzer a 1-0 lead.

HIU served up several dangerous crosses throughout the half that were just not quite answered.

Sophomore goalie Savannah Wood made 3 saves in the net.

A Northern California road trip comes knocking next for the Royals as they will play at Simpson in Redding on Friday afternoon at 1:00 pm. Matches on Friday and Monday will round out the trip.

By Jordan Escoto
Photo by Liza Rosales