IRVINE, Calif. – In a rare home game that occurred after Senior Day, the Concordia University Irvine men's soccer team notched a solid 2-0 victory over Biola.
The contest was a make-up game from three weeks prior due to COVID-19 protocols. For the Green and Gold, it was a great way to wrap up the season and send the seniors out on a high note.
"As a team we have been in a great state of mind and came into this game with one goal, and that was to execute," said
Brendan Laun. "We knew Biola was going to come out with a lot of fire and to get their first win so we decided to match and exceed that desire."
Midway through the first half,
Michael Oakson sent a looping pass over the head of the defense.
Elijah Amadin and
Alex Perez gave chase and the Biola Eagles were quickly on their heels. As the visitors tried to recover and the ball briefly bounced off a defender, Perez pushed the ball to Amadin on the left flank. The El Toro High School product waited for the right moment and then smoothly booted the ball past the goalie to give CUI the 1-0 lead.
The Green and Gold were brimming with confidence after that first tally and it showed as the game progressed. In the 44th minute, Laun tallied the second goal of the contest to double CUI's lead before halftime. He had an opportunity to cash in, collected himself quickly, and made a deft move past the keeper for the clutch insurance goal.
"I remember I told myself I was gonna score," admitted Laun.
Heeding his own advice, Laun helped CUI go into intermission in control. Biola mounted five shots in the second half, but none found the back of the net.
Senior
Mac Hutchins, who is also an El Toro High School alum, completed the contest in goal and teamed up with the back line to earn the clean sheet. Hutchins finished with two saves.
CUI improved to 2-2 in regular season matches during this unorthodox campaign. That includes a sweep of the season series with Biola. Perhaps most importantly, for all these young men it was a beautiful day on the pitch and one the CUI seniors will remember for the rest of their lives.
#CUITogether
