Third win over Connell propels Royal to soccer state

File Photo: Front Row Kneeling: (10) Jorge Valdez, (5) Manuel Martinez,(17) Antonio Ramos, (1) Cesar Tlatelpa, (14) Alfredo Manzo, (9) Miguel Ramirez, (18) Jorge Lopez. Middle Row Kneeling: (6) Pedro Acevedo, (12) Hector Mendoza, (19) Samuel Corrales, (3) Luis Rivera, (16) Eduardo Contreras, (15) Antonio Ayala, (8) Julio Maldonado Last Row Standing: Head Coach Arthur de Victoria, Assistant Coach Shawn Beeman, (7) Heriberto Mendoza, (2) Jorge Preciado (20) Oscar Martinez, (11) Eugenio Cruz, (4) Juan Erazo, (13) Jesus Gomez, Assistant Coach Geir Dalan, Goal Keeper Coach James Jydstrup

by Royal Register Editor & Ted Escobar
| May 18, 2011 6:15 AM

ROYAL CITY - The Knights may not have won the A district soccer championship last week, but they are going to state because of a 5-1 victory over Connell earlier in week in the semifinals.

"Three consecutive wins over Connell, the largest margin of victory over this long-time foe," coach Jens Jensen said with jubilation.

The best part of the outcome is that Royal qualified for state for only the second time in history.

"Things could not have gone better," Jensen said. "The boys were able to score early and keep scoring to put the result out of reach.

The Knights had a variety of scoring, including a corner play and a penalty kick. Jensen was able to play the bench, and he got production from there.

The action on the field was fairly even. Royal had seven shots on goal, and Connell had six. The difference was five saves by Royal goalie Lupe Arceo to two for Connell.

It took a while for the Knights to get untracked. When they did, the scoring came like a flood. Adam Martinez led off the scoring with an assist from Luis Esquivel in the 15th minute.

In the 19th minute, Christian Guerrero scored to make the score 2-0. Less that two minutes later, Jose Nava upped the margin to 3-0 with a goal.

Jose Gaxiola and Elias Corona scored after intermission to make it 5-0, and Connell finally responded with a goal in the 78th minute.

Royal's season will continue on the road with a game at Brewster today. If the Knights win, they'll host either Lynden Christian or Warden on Saturday.

The semifinals and finals are set for Sumner the following weekend. If the Knights are to meet Wahluke a fourth time, it will be in the semifinals.