ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Soka University Lions defeated the Firebirds of University of Saint Katherine 9-0 on Thursday evening at the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium.

Lions' junior striker Yauri De Groot opened the floodgates in the 10^th minute of the match, after first-year midfielder Gerardo De La Torre served a deep, driven ball over the Firebirds' defensive line finding De Groot in stride. De Groot took a touch to his left,saw Saint Katherine's keeper off of his line, and cheekily chipped his shot over the head of keeper for the early 1-0 lead.

Eighteen minutes later, De La Torre and De Groot combined again after De Groot threaded his pass between the back line to De La Torre. De La Torre collected the ball into his exit, slotted his shot low, and into the left corner, giving the Lions the two goal advantage.

With three minutes passing on the clock, sophomore midfielder Johannes Hielscher dribbled past his defender towards the bi-line, and pulled his cross back second-six. Soka sophomore Masahiro Otsuka crashed the box, sprinted towards the ball, and converted his chance low and into the back of the net for his first career goal, and the Lions' third goal of the match.

In the 39^th minute, the De Groot /De La Torre connection struck again, this time with the help of first-year central defender Harrison Gilmer. Gilmer played a driven, penetrating service down the field towards De La Torre. De La Torre's silky collection put him into position to serve his cross mid-goal. De La Torre's pass found De Groot, who netted his second goal of the game low and into the near post.

At the 60 minute mark, Soka was awarded a penalty kick, and junior center back Hunter Stewart stepped up to the spot. Stewart confidently struck his shot low and hard, converting his chance, and bringing the score to 5-0.

Five minutes later, Gilmer tallied the Lions' sixth goal of the game after winning his heading dual inside of the box. Gilmer's goal stemmed from De La Torre's corner kick on the left side of the field.

With four minute passing, De Groot earned a hat trick in the 70^th minute after the Lions were awarded a second penalty kick. De Groot placed his shot into the corner giving Soka the 7-0 lead.

within a ten minute time frame, Soka sophomore Linus Rueegger and junior Leonardo Ortiz both netted their first goals of the season off of assists from Otsuka ​​​​​, bringing the final score to 9-0.

Up next, the Lions will take on George Fox University on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.
 
 
 

 
Notes: This is the fourth meeting between the Lions and the Firebirds… Soka's overall record against Saint Katherine is 3-0-1… The Lions outshot the Firebirds 32-7…. Soka goalkeeper Maxwel Barainca made two saves on the day.