IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine softball team is ranked nationally in the NFCA Division II Preseason Poll for the third straight season.

The Eagles come in at No. 11 this year entering the 2021 campaign and were the only PacWest Conference team to make the preseason Top 25.

CUI has reserved a place in the NFCA Division II rankings for the majority of the last three years, rising to the No. 1 spot for the first time in program history during the 2019 season.

"It is a great honor anytime we are recognized nationally by our peers," said CUI athletic director and head softball coach Crystal Rosenthal. "It has been a long road back to get the chance to even compete.  We are grateful to get back to the dirt and play and will not take one day for granted."

CUI won back-to-back PacWest Conference Championships in each of the last two full seasons. The Green and Gold also won 17 games in the shortened 2020 campaign.

The Eagles are eying a third straight PacWest title as well as a third appearance in the NCAA DII West Region playoffs after hosting the regional tournament in 2018 and 2019.

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