Soka Survives Shootout Against Hope International to Reach GSAC Semifinals

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. – Third-seeded Soka survived a penalty-kick shootout against sixth-seeded Hope International on Tuesday evening, advancing to the semifinals of the 2026 GSAC Women's Soccer Championship with a 3-2 shootout victory following a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes.

The Lions (8-5-4) controlled much of the match, holding a 13-3 advantage in shots, but needed a decisive fifth-round penalty kick from Anahi Aranda to eliminate the Royals (6-8-1) and secure a semifinal matchup against second-seeded The Master's.

Soka established its attacking presence early, outshooting Hope International 5-2 and generating four corner kicks in the opening half. However, both goalkeepers delivered key stops to keep the match scoreless through 45 minutes.

Soka goalkeeper Jazlynn Camacho denied Charlie Grace in the 30th minute before Hope International's Victoria Ruiz made consecutive saves against Sienna Manns and Elana Kawai in the 33rd. Ruiz added another stop against Manns in the 36th minute, while Camacho turned away Karissa Frerichs in the 41st.

The Royals broke through in the 52nd minute when Ana Pacheco finished a play assisted by Grace, giving Hope International a 1-0 advantage. Pacheco converted her only shot of the match during a 71-minute appearance.

Soka wasted little time responding.

After Ruiz denied Sabrina Benjamin in the 53rd minute, the Lions forward found the equalizer in the 56th, scoring off an assist from Arlene Yepez. The goal came just four minutes, eight seconds after Hope International had taken the lead.

The Lions nearly completed the comeback six minutes later when Jonalynn Valles struck the crossbar in the 62nd minute. Soka continued to press for the go-ahead goal, but Ruiz made another important save against Carly Becerra in the 77th minute to preserve the 1-1 tie.

Neither team managed a shot during the first 10-minute overtime period, but Soka generated two opportunities in the final 10 minutes. Becerra directed a header on goal in the 105th minute, forcing another save from Ruiz, before Aranda tested the Royals goalkeeper with just 10 seconds remaining in the 110th minute.

Ruiz finished with a match-high seven saves, including two in the second overtime period, to send the contest to penalty kicks.

The shootout opened with misses from Soka's Benjamin and Hope International's Frerichs before both teams converted in the second and third rounds.

Yepez put the Lions on the board in the second round, with Angely Puga answering for the Royals. Valles and Sukanya Sukpham then converted in the third round to leave the shootout tied 2-2.

Neither team converted in the fourth round, as Manns missed for Soka and Hypasha Garcia missed for Hope International.

With the shootout still tied, Aranda stepped forward and converted Soka's fifth attempt to give the Lions a 3-2 advantage. Hope International's Madelynn Valdez was unable to answer on the Royals' final attempt, sending Soka into the semifinals.

Benjamin and Manns led the Lions with three shots apiece, with each putting two attempts on goal. Becerra added two shots on target, while Aranda played 104 minutes and delivered the decisive penalty kick.

Camacho played all 110 minutes in goal for Soka, recording two saves. Hope International put all three of its shots on target, with Pacheco accounting for the Royals' lone goal.

Soka finished with a 13-3 advantage in shots, an 8-3 edge in shots on goal and a 6-1 margin in corner kicks.

The Lions advance to face second-seeded The Master's in the GSAC semifinals Friday, Nov. 6, at Reese Field in Santa Clarita, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT, with the winner advancing to the conference championship match Tuesday, Nov. 10.