ALISO VIEJO, CA- For the first time in program history the Soka University Women's Soccer team defeated the San Diego Christian Hawks with a convincing 5-2 victory in their 2019 season home opener on Wednesday night.

Soka's first-year striker Araceli Soto-Garcia scored her first career goal and first career hat trick in her debut match for the Lady Lions. Soto's first goal came in the fourth minute of play after being awarded a penalty kick. She calmly stepped up to the PK spot, and deceptively placed her shot opposite of the Hawks' goal keeper for the early lead.

Soto's second goal came right before the end of the first half when Soka's sophomore outside back Renee Parado connected her pass to first-year Roxanna Ortiz. Ortiz threaded her pass between two San Diego Christian defenders finding Soto in stride. Soto feinted to her right, and cheekily chipped her shot high, towards the back post giving the Lady Lions the 2-0 lead.

The Hawks answered back in the 65^th and 70^th minutes of play, after both Devon Molina and Joanna Ortiz capitalized on miss-clearances from Soka to tie the game. However, Soto scored the game winner in the 76^th minute, burying her shot back post from outside the 18-yard box for the Lady Lions' go-ahead goal.

Soka senior Cerelia Maskarinec added two insurance goals for Soka, scoring off an assist from Iris Cox in the 78^th minute, and finishing her unassisted first-time shot back post in the 85^th minute, giving the Lady Lions the 5-2 win to start their 2019 season off strong.

Up next, Soka will host Whittier College on Friday Aug. 23, 2019. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
 
 

 
NOTES: This is sixth meeting between the Lady Lions and the Hawks… Soka is now 1-5 against San Diego Christian… Soto is now the seventh Lion in Soka history to score a hat trick, and the first to score a hat trick in their debut match… Soka outshot San Diego Christian 19-15… Soto led the Lady Lions with eight shots on the day… Soka's Ashley Bustamante (3) and Camryn Finnell (2) made a combined five saves…a yellow card was shown to Soka's Katilyn Haibel.