San Rafael, CALIF. - The Eagles put their four game winning streak on the line against the red-hot Dominican University of California Penguins, who had won seven straight matches of their own, in a game that can decide standings in the PacWest Conference.
The hard fought battle ended in a 3-2 overtime loss for the Eagles.
The Green and Gold struck first and set the tone for the remainder of the contest. In the 27th minute of action, Caley Powers, from the deep right corner, sent a cross to Luke Ryan in the center of the field and he found the net. Ryan created the opportunity with his infamous boxout, turn and shoot for the CUI 1-0 lead. The goal was Ryan's fourth in the last four matches for the Green and Gold.
First half action ended in favor ofConcordia 1-0. But, the Penguins were no slouch throughout the half, seemingly controlling the tempo and taking five attempts of their own at last week's PacWest Conference Defender of the Week, Mac Hutchins.
Second half action was underway and the DU leading scorer was on the attack. In the 47th minute Luke Raley knotted the match up 1-1 with a miraculous bicycle kick. Just over 10 minutes later Raley found the net again and gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead.
The Eagles were never out of the match. The Concordia pride stepped up the intensity and hauled off six attempts at the goal before netting one from Jose Huerta on a Brett Lux cross to tie the game 2-2 in the 78th minute.
The final 12 minutes of the second half was a battle but neither team was able to score and the two squads headed to overtime with the score at 2-2.
Overtime was short lived as Dominican scored in the 94th minute on another Raley goal, giving him the hat-trick and game winner to defeat CUI with the score 3-2.
"I am proud of the boys for fighting until the end," said Huerta. "We fought hard to get back into the game. Now it is time to focus, move forward, note the positives, leave the negatives behind us, and get ready for Saturday's game."
The Eagles will have their final match of the season on Saturday, Nov. 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Notre Dame De Namur.
For more information on the CUI men's soccer team, click here:
