Women's Soccer
10/16/2007 - Royals and Mustangs Play Tale of Two Halves- Finish Tied
Fullerton, CA- Hope International and The Master's played to a 2-2 double overtime tie in a Golden State Athletic match on a breezy Tuesday afternoon. The Mustangs scored both their goals in the first half while the Royals found the net both times in the second half.
Overall, Hope outshot The Master's 19 to 12 but the Mustangs put the pressure on the Royals in first half by hitting 7 shots (four on goal) while only allowing Hope to create 4 shots (2 on goal). However, the Royals' defense only allowed 2 more shots on goal the remaining 65 minutes of the game.
Down 2-0, the Royals (7-6-2, 1-5-1 GSAC) were controlling the game but still looking for that one break to get the offensive ball rolling. They received that break when the Mustang's goalkeeper Lindsay Marr (who subbed in the second half) incorrectly hit a punt and sent the ball directly to Yvonne Aguilar. Aguilar trapped the ball beautifully and hit a volley over the head of Marr and into the net from 25 yards out.
Super sub Alexis Abbott tied the game after a ball was crossed in from the right side, deflected off a couple of players and Abbott took care of the rest.
Emily Bruton was the offensive star for the Mustangs (2-9-2, 1-5-1 GSAC) as she scored both goals. The first one came off a perfectly executed give-and-go combination with Jill Oldright inside the box. She used nothing but pure speed to score her second goal. Bruton found herself behind the Royals defense (but onsides as she was the Mustang's side of mid-field) as a ball was played over the top. From there she out ran the defense and put the shot away.
Both the Royals and the Mustangs are members of the NCCAA's West Region. So this game served a dual purpose (GSAC and NCCAA) in regards to qualifying for post-season play. Even with the tie, the Royals maintain the edge due to their overall record.
This Saturday (10/20) will be Senior Day for the Royals as five seniors will be playing in their final home in a Hope uniform. The match starts at 1 pm against Orange County and GSAC rival Vanguard University.