LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Royals are 4-0 to start off this 2018 season after defeating the NCAA DII Georgia Southwestern State University Hurricanes 3-1 tonight. The 4-0 start is the best in program history and it is due in large part to the Royals potent offense, which has outscored opponents 11-3 in the team's first 4 matches. Tonight was no exception as the Royals had 21 shots with 7 on goal and saw 3 different players capture their first goal of the year.
The Royals jumped out to an early lead tonight when
Jake Baker headed in a goal from a
Juan Gazzotti corner kick in the 6
th minute. However, it did not take long for the Hurricanes to even things up with a goal of their own as they scored a goal off a rebound in the 11
th minute. The Royals would continue to press the ball offensively and found the back of the net again in the 35
th minute off a goal from
Widler Monestime, assisted by
Jans Tamayo. The first half would end with the Royals ahead 2-1.
The second half was a battle of who could hold possession longer as both sides fought over positioning off headers, free kicks, and balls thrown in the entire half. Neither side would budge on defense as the half was filled with fouls and even saw a yellow card awarded to the Royals. Late in the half tho, (86
th minute),
Austin Steen was able to knock in a huge insurance goal off an assist from Christian Chung. The defense continued to hold strong down the stretch and the game ended with the Royals on top 3-1; cementing 2018 as the best start to a season in program history!
The team continues to click on all cylinders under head coach
Drew Stacey and will have one day of rest before they are back in action against Pensacola Christian College this Saturday September 1
st at 2:00 PM at Royals Field.