Knights come back to beat Mabton setting up Connell soccer rematch

Michael Rojas of Royal controls the ball with his knee to redirect it up the field.

Royal goal keeper Carlos Quintero dives to smother a Mabton attempt and keep the score at 1-0 in the first half.

by Sun Times Editor & Ted Escobar
| May 15, 2016 6:00 AM

Royal goal keeper Carlos Quintero dives to smother a Mabton attempt and keep the score at 1-0 in the first half.

ROYAL CITY — After a 2-1 comeback win at Mabton in the first round Friday of the SCAC District Soccer Tournament, Royal High will meet unbeaten Connell – again – in one of the semifinals today.

“I think Royal can beat them,” Wahluke Coach Arthur DeVictoria said over the weekend.

Connell won the previous two contests by one goal each. If Royal wins today, it will qualify for the state tournament and play for the district title on the Royal field Thursday.

The Mabton contest was not easy. The Vikings were a better West third-place team than the Royal boys suspected. While Coach Jens Jensen tried to shout his players out of their doldrums, the Vikings built a first-half lead, 1-0.

The Vikings were also helped by the wind, which was at their backs the entire half. When the teams traded ends of the field, the wind gave the Knights a boost, and they – especially Michael Rojas – woke up.

Off a feed from Danny Cuevas, Rojas scored the tying goal 1:41 into the second half. Twenty minutes later he scored the winning goal unassisted.

Royal dominated the action, taking 13 shots on goal to six for the Vikings. Royal had nine corner kicks to two for Mabton.