Royal Knights record fourth straight win on the pitch
BENTON CITY — Royal Soccer has it going on as the team has taken four of its last five contests, and is now tied for first in the league standings with College Place.
The Knights latest victim was the Ki-Be Bears as Royal rolled past the team from Benton City 4-0 on Friday, April 13.
Michael Rojas was the go to guy in this contest as he recorded a hat trick. Miguel Torres got the other goal for Royal.
Rojas struck first when he found the back of the Bears box 18 minutes into the contest. He added his second goal at the 36:48 mark to send the Knights to halftime up 2-0.
Torres made it 3-0 with 17 minutes left in the contest. Rojas rounded out the scoring with his third goal at 80:20.
Royal outshot Ki-Be 40-9. Ty Miller recorded five saves. Rojas converted 3-of-4 shots on goal.
Royal 3
Connell 1
Miguel Torres scored twice, Martin Hernandez added another goal and the Knights turned back the Eagles 3-1 in Connell April 10. The Eagles got on the board first 32 minutes into the contest on a long-range shot by Luis Ramos that drew praise from Royal’s coach Jens Jensen.
“We had just picked up a knee injury to our right defender and we were still getting organized as a defensive unit,” Jensen said. “The Connell player struck a ball from way out and he caught it perfectly. The wind and the sun created an unstoppable shot into the upper corner. It is a goal that he will remember.”
The Knights got the equalizer with three minutes left in the first half when Michael Rojas let fly with a shot the Eagles goalkeeper spilled out to Torres who put the ball right back into the net.
Royal broke the tie when Torres found the net for a second time at the 59th minute off an assist from Juan Ojeda. The Knights put a stamp on the fuss on a late goal from Hernandez, when he put back a Rojas shot that was rejected by the Connell goalie.
Royal controlled possession of the match throughout and had opportunities to blow it wide open but the Knights were unable to convert.
“More than a few times the ball came back off the post or the goalkeeper spilled it,” Jensen said. “We also had a penalty kick that we hammered off the crossbar.”
The Knights outshot the Eagles 38-14. Keeper Ty Miller defended Royal’s box the full 90 minutes and recorded six saves.
Royal (8-3, 4-1) was back on the pitch Tuesday in Warden, but the results of the fuss were not available at time of press.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
