Knights grab two of three on the pitch
ROYAL CITY — It was a busy but productive week for Royal Soccer as the Knights claimed victories in two of three SCAC road matches.
Royal dropped a close fuss at Highland March 13, and then recorded back-to-back shutout wins at Mabton March 15, and Granger on March 17.
Highland 2
Royal 1
Midfielder Alonso Hernandez found the back of the Scots box at the 33:41 mark to put the Knights up top 1-0. The score held up through the break. The start of the second half was a bit chippy as Royal’s Alex Ramos received a red card at the 51:08 mark. Jorge Silva leveled the match 30 seconds later and play intensified. Jesus Silva (Ronald Govea assist) broke the tie at 56:38. Highlands Miguel Pena received a yellow card with less than four minutes to go. The Knights were unable to answer Silva’s goal and the Scots came away with the win. Highland was whistled for 10 fouls in the contest. Royal had four.
“We had some complications in the match. We were winning 1-0 at halftime, but then on our own opening kickoff for some strange reason, we played the ball back and straight out of bounds to award Highland a corner kick,” coach Jens Jensen said. “The corner got sent in and one of our defenders handled the ball in the box and was shown a straight red card. Highland was given a penalty and converted to make it 1-1, and we played the entire second half a man down.”
Jensen lamented he should have made changes to shore up the defense, but being a friendly, decided to leave the defense a little exposed and see if the could survive.
“For the most part they did fine, but it took them a bit to settle in and Highland got a second,” he said. “Despite playing a man down, we had four sitters we missed and a penalty that probably would have been awarded if there was a full three-man referee crew at the match.”
Royal 6
Granger 0
The Knights dominated this one with first half goals from Miguel Torres, Cralos Hernandez (2), and UW bound Michael Rojas. Royal added second half scores from Alonso Hernandez and Joviani Aquino to complete the shutout.
Royal 6
Mabton 0
The Vikings proved no match for the Knights as Royal was scoring at will. Lizandro Hernandez, Alonso Hernandez and Jovani Aquino posted one goal each on the board in the first half. Cralos Hernandez, Antonio Barragan and Miguel Torres followed suit in the second 45 minutes of play.
“Mabton and Granger had a difficult time dealing with our midfield and multiple goal scoring threats,” Jensen said. “They did have some dangerous moments on long throw-ins and corners/free-kicks, but Ty Miller (Knights keeper) was able to maintain a clean sheet in both.”
Royal is back on the pitch Thursday for a home match with always s tough Warden. Play gets underway a 6 p.m.