INCLINE VILLAGE, NV- Lions' junior striker
Yauri De Groot became Soka University's all-time leading scorer after tallying two goals in the Lions' 2-1 win over fellow Cal Pac Conference member Sierra Nevada College on Saturday afternoon.
De Groot's two goals brought his career total to 33 goals in less than three seasons, surpassing former record holder Bryce Arenson (Class of 2015), who scored 32 goals in his four-year career. De Groot also recently set the school record for most points (83), surpassing Arenson's 74 career points.
De Groot put the Lions on the scoreboard fifteen minutes into the match, providing Soka with the 1-0 lead at half time.
Gerardo De La Torre connected with De Groot in the 62
nd minute. De La Torre served a dangerous set piece into the box, finding De Groot's head, who flicked his shot into the back of the net for the what would prove to be the Lions' game-winning goal.
Sierra Nevada's Casey Sturtevant capitalized on his chance in the 78
th minute, cutting the Lions' lead in half. However, despite a late push from the Eagles to try and find the equalizer, Soka's compact and organized defense consisting of
Hunter Stewart,
Harrison Gilmer,
Carter Johnson,
Jann Christian Sitchon, and
Maxwel Barainca between the sticks, prevented any attacking chances the Eagles produced.
This afternoon's win brings the Lions' overall record to 6-3, and 2-0 in Cal Pac Conference play. Soka currently sits at the top of the Cal Pac standings, and De Groot leads the conference with ten goals and six assists. De La Torre also leads the conference with 35 shots.
"I'm really proud of our guys, as It's hard to win two games on the road in one weekend," said Head Coach
Ian Eggleston. "We're so happy to be coming home with six points to start our conference play as it feels a bit like we stole one today. Sierra Nevada's movement was excellent, and I thought they were the better team overall. We were able to make a couple of adjustments to combat their fluidity, but they still enjoyed more possession than us for sure. Starting the second half 1-0, it all became about the next goal, which we were successful with. From there we were able to close it down, and see out the game (even after they got one back). The work rate and commitment from our guys was superb, as it's not easy playing at this altitude, especially after a game on Thursday night. I'm so happy that Yauri scored his two goals today, and officially became our all-time leading goal scorer. Which is very impressive since he is only a junior. We will enjoy this win tonight, keep preparing for a very tough four-game stretch coming up."
Up next, the Lions continue Cal Pac Conference play when they host Embry Riddle Aeronautical University on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at 5:30 p.m.
Notes: This is the third meeting between the Lions and the Eagles… Soka is now 3-0 against Sierra Nevada… Sierra Nevada outshot the Lions 21-10… and Soka's Barainca made 8 saves on the day.
