Glendale, Ariz.- For the second year Arizona Christian will face Hope International in the GSAC playoffs with the 2024 matchup coming in the semifinals on Saturday.  The teams will meet on the stadium pitch of the Orange County Great Park (Irvine, CA) at 7:00 pm (Pacific)/8:00 pm (Arizona).

Arizona Christian heads into the tournament as the fourth seed after producing an overall record to date of 7-7-4 and 5-5-4 GSAC in 2024.  The Firestorm found their groove in the final two thirds of GSAC play as they went 5-1-3 after starting their conference schedule 0-4-1.

Offensively, the Firestorm scored 36 goals on the season with 29 coming against GSAC foes.  All-GSAC members Aiden Abbitt (seven goals, seven assists) and Edwin Meza (six goals, five assists) along with Marlon Arce (six goals and four assists) will spearhead the offensive attack.  Jose Garcia, Elijah Meade and Marcos Mora all scored three goals and should make their presence felt in the final third as well.

Defensively, Esteban Ardon (who topped ACU in minutes played), Marcello Bravo De Rueda, Jake Dickinson, Cristhian Flores, Logan Johnson, Jake Underwood, Alex Robinson and Dustin Rogers should all be key factors in trying to keep the Royals off the scoreboard.

Head Coach Ted Krzywiecki commented, "Our guys are prepared and we are excited to be in the postseason.  Anything is possible with a group that is committed and willing to work hard for one another.  It has been great to have a full week to train after a condensed schedule for the past seven weeks.  It is important to be playing well at this time of year to give yourself a chance to play more games.  I believe in our guys and I know they are capable."

Hope International, the top seed, won the GSAC Regular Season Championship after posting a record of 12-3-3 and 9-2-3 GSAC.  The Royals had six selections on the All-GSAC team.  Offensively, HIU was second in the GSAC at 40 goals with 29 coming in conference.  Andy Cabrera led the way with five goals while Uriel Sanchez had four goals and four assists.  Defensively, Hope International only allowed 15 goals while posting eight shutouts.

Facing off in 2024, the Royals won 2-1 playing on the OC Great Park pitch.  Just 15 days later, the teams tied 1-1 playing in Glendale.

Head-to-head in the GSAC playoffs, the teams have met twice previously including last year resulting in a 2-1 win for the Royals.  Back in 2017, Hope international claimed a 3-0 victory.
 
The winner of the ACU-HIU match will face the winner of the Embry-Riddle (AZ) at The Master's semifinal.  The highest remaining seed will host the GSAC Championship match on Thursday.

Roll Storm.