Behind two goals from Nik Djokic, the Cincinnati Kings start U.S. Open Cup play with an 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Saints Saturday night at Game Time in Fairfield.

After a scoreless first quarter, Djokic got the Kings on the board in the second with two goals within two minutes of each other. After a Saints score, the Kings added goals by Allen Eller and Shawn Rockey to give the Kings a 4-1 lead at the half.

Drew Ducker opened the third period with a quick goal, but two unanswered Saints goals, the last by Damian Blackburn, closed the gap to 5-3. The Kings’ Shawn Lamar scored right before the end of the period to make it 6-3. A score by the Saints’ Adam Neill closed the gap to two goals at the beginning of the fourth, but Craig Rhodis and Doug Rice put the game away with late scores for the 8-4 final.

The 2011-2012 U.S. Open Arena Soccer Championship is the fourth edition of an open knockout style tournament for Arena/Indoor soccer teams. Currently teams from the PASL and PASL-Premier, and unaffiliated amateur teams, participate in the tournament. The Kings were U.S. Open Cup runner-ups last season.

The Kings’ next home game will be Friday, December 30 against Louisville at the Cincinnati Gardens.