ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Lions wavered in their 3-2 loss to the Royals of Hope International University on Thursday night at the Lions' Den Soccer Stadium. Three first-half goals from the Royals proved to be enough, as the Lions were unable to net the equalizer despite multiple second-half chances. 

Hope's Ofelia Sosa Cruz scored the first two goals for her side in the first 16 minutes of the game. Seven minutes later, Monique Cervantes netted the Royals' third goal after receiving a pass from Luli Bethencourt inside the 18-yard box.

The Lions responded twelve minutes into the second half after Iris Cox threaded her pass to Araceli Soto-Garcia. Soto-Garcia placed her shot low, and put Soka on the scoreboard.

Four minutes later, Taylor Hampton scored her first career goal and the Lions' second goal of the match, bringing the final score to 3-2. The goal evolved after Alex Bershtein served a driven set-piece inside the six-yard box where Merina Addonigio flicked it towards Hampton. Hampton got her head on the ball, and redirected her shot past the Royals' goalkeeper Priscilla Avila.

"Today was a great test of character for our team," said Head Coach Wendy Espejel. "We went down early in the first half and responded by dominating the second half and getting two goals out of it. I challenged the players at half to fight their way back to the game, and I couldn't be more pleased with their response."

Up next, the Lions will head out onto the road for the first time, where they will open up California Pacific Conference play at the University of Antelope Valley on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m.
 
 
Game Notes: Hope University outshot Soka 23-3... Soka's Ashley Bustamante made ten saves on the day... yellow cards were shown to Soka's Kamry Aragon and Hopes Ofelia Sosa Cruz.