Box Score For the second year in a row, The Master's men's soccer team fell to the Hope International Royals in the GSAC championship game, this time by a score of 4-2.
The Royals had the advantage with shots (24-14) and shots on goal (14-9), controlling the action for most of the match.
"They were just too strong for our defense," said TMU Head Coach Jim Rickard. "Normally scoring two goals should be enough. But (HIU's)Â service was really good and their quickness to the ball turned half chances into goals."
The Mustangs (9-9-2) got the benefit of an own goal in the 12th minute whenÂ
Theo Kudlo popped the ball into the 18-yard box, and while no TMU player was near, the ball went off the side of a Hope player's foot and into the goal giving The Master's a 1-0 lead.
Twenty-six minutes later the Royals tied it, with the score staying 1-1 until halftime.
Nearly 12 minutes into the second half, Hope went up 2-1.
But in the 70th minute, conference player of the year
Trent Rickard had his moment. A Royals' foul gave TMU a free kick from about 40 yards away from the Hope goal. Rickard used the opportunity to blast a low shot into the left corner of the net to even the game at 2-2.Â
Just four minutes later, a foul deep in the Mustangs' half of the field resulted in a Hope International goal, making it 3-2. As the clock wound down, TMU was forced to push everyone forward, which opened up the defense for a one final HIU goal in the 85th minute to make it a 4-2 final.
Adiel Kaduya led the team with four shots while Rickard, Kudlo,
Peyton Gorans and
Prince Chingancheke all had two shots.
"Proud of everyone for all their hard work and journey this year," Coach Rickard said. "Losing a lot of key seniors and just couldn't bring the final home."
Â
