Royal takes down Wahluke on Knights home turf Friday

Bob Kirkpatrick/The Sun Tribune - Miguel Torres (20) gets a shot past the Warriors keeper for the first score of the match.

by Bob Kirkpatrick Editor
| April 28, 2018 1:00 AM

ROYAL CITY — Miguel Torres recorded the first goal, Michael Rojas converted a PK and then added a second half goal, and Royal avenged an earlier loss to Wahluke with a 3-1 over the Warriors at David Neilsen Stadium Friday.

The win extends the Knights streak to six games and puts Royal in the drivers seat for the league bragging rights.

“It was a big match for both teams as Wahluke has dropped a few matches and needed a result, and we are after a league title and we cannot drop points at home,” coach Jens Jensen said. “We got a major lift in just the second minute of the match when Miguel picked up a slotted ball from Eliseo Romero and beat the goalkeeper at the first post. We continued to pressure the Wahluke goal and it finally lead to a mistake from a defender who lost his footing and clambered into the back of Michael Rojas inside the box and Mike scored on the resulting penalty kick.”

The Knights stifling defense allowed the Warriors just one shot on goal in the first 40 minutes of the fuss, and Royal maintained the 2-0 lead at the break.

Wahluke cranked its defensive pressure in the second half, which limited scoring opportunities for Royal.

Things got a bit chippy, but true to form, Rojas seemly unfazed by the physical play, picked up a loose ball, beat several defenders, turned back into the middle of the field and left fly with a left-footer that curled into the upper far post for the final goal of the match for the Knights.

Wahluke avoided the shutout with a goal off a corner kick in stoppage time.

“It was nice to get the win under the ‘Friday Night Lights’ at home,” Rojas said. “We lost to them at home last year and we didn’t want that to happen again. You have to give credit to Jensen for working us hard in practice and keeping us focused on the task at hand.”

Royal outshot Wahluke 31-11 in the contest. Had it not been for some outstanding saves by the Warriors keeper Melchor Celay who turned back 12 shots, the game would’ve been a blowout.

Royal 5

Warden 0

The Knights got goals from five different players and Royal shutout the Cougars 5-0 April 17. Miguel Torres off assists from Alonso and Lizandro Hernandez put the Knights up top 1-0 at the 21 minute mark. Alonso Hernandez made it 2-0 at 32:45. University of Washington bound Michael Rojas found the back of the Warden box two minutes later and Royal took a 3-0 lead into the break. Antonio Barragan and Uriel Garcia came off the bench to record a goal each in the second half of play and round out the scoring for the match. The Knights outshot Warden 38-6. Keeper Ty Miller had three save in the contest.

Royal traveled to College Place for a big match with the second place Hawks Tuesday.The match was still in progress when the Tribune went to press.