LAKE WALES, Fla. - The Royals Men's Soccer team opened their 2026 campaign with a 3-1 win over Brewton-Parker Christian University, which was lead by an incredible hat trick performance from Sophomore forward
Jackson Davenport. Warner's win over BPCU marked the first opening match win since the 2022 Season when the Royals defeated Pensacola Christian 2-to-0.
Warner opened the match with immediate offensive pressure earning their 1st corner kick of the game in the 6th minute.
Christopher Zeppieri served in a tremendous ball from the corner that was headed into the back of the net by
Jackson Davenport to put the Royals ahead less than 6 full minutes into the game. As the 1st half went on, the Barons found themselves with momentum creating multiple scoring chances throughout the half, but the Royals defense anchored by Senior goalkeeper
Mikey Melvin held strong to keep the Royals 1-0 lead into the halftime break.Â
After an extended halftime due to a lightning delay the Royals started the 2nd half much like they did the 1st, scoring on a Davenport header doubling the Royals lead. Davenport's 2nd goal was assisted by
Jason Flaming, who hit a beautiful far post cross into the box after beating a defender off the dribble. Brewton-Parker answered back with a goal of their own in the 61st minute on a quick transition goal to cut the Royals lead back to 1. The Royals would regain their 2 goal lead only a few minutes later in the 63rd minute where Davenport completed his hat-trick scoring his 3rd goal of the game off another assist by Zeppieri. The Barons continued to put pressure on the Royals defense over the final third of the game, but the Warner defense held strong to secure the 3-to-1 win.
The Royals finished the game with 3 goals on 14 total shots, 9 on goal, 3 assists and 3 corners. Melvin had a strong opening day to the season in goal for the Royals securing 8 saves while allowing only 1 goal in 90 minutes of play.Â
Warner will look to build off their strong opening day start when they take on Thomas University at home on August 27th.
Up Next:
The Royals will host the Night Hawks of Thomas University on Thursday, August 27th at 7:00pm on the Royals Soccer Field.
#GodBlessGoRoyals | #TogetherAsOne
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