ROYAL CITY - Despite a loss to Wahluke earlier in the week, the Royal Knights stayed in the SCAC East soccer title chase with a 7-0 romp over Kiona-Benton on Thursday.

Royal finished the week with a 5-2 SCAC East record, trailing 5-1 Connell and 4-1 Wahluke. With two games to go, the key outing will be at Connell today.

Connell surprised Royal at Royal in the first meeting between the two teams. The Knights will be seeking revenge today at 4 p.m.

The Knights will close the SCAC season at home against Warden Thursday in a 6 p.m. contest.

Against Ki-Be, Royal exploded early and didn't let up until half-time. The scoring started 1:10 into the game when Jose Medina fed Cesar Bernal for a goal. At 4:05 Medina scored on his own.

There was a goal by Israel Cortez at 6:40 and a goal by Jose Ponce at 15:36. At 21:56, Dany Cuevas scored assisted by Jose Ponce and Medina.

Royal closed the scoring after intermission with goals at 41:35 and 48:36. The first was by Cortez unassisted. The second was by Medina on an assist by Bernal.

Royal simply overpowered the Bears. The Knights had 14 shots on goal while Ki-Be was held to seven. Jose Jimenez had five saves for the Knights.