IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team completed the non-conference portion of its season in style by racing out to an early lead and never looking back in a 5-0 home win over Biola.
Riley Walkington scored two goals and showed off some fancy footwork,
Daniela Filipovic added two assists and goalkeepers
Riley Urquiza and
Hailey Asato combined for CUI's third shutout of the year.
CUI is making a strong case for national recognition. The Golden Eagles were just coming off
a huge 2-1 victory on the road over No. 6 Point Loma and have already earned a draw over Western Washington up north when the Vikings were ranked No. 10 in NCAA DII.
After an early goal by Walkington barely three minutes in to the contest,
Layla Comeaux made it 2-0 CUI by connecting off a neatly-placed cross from Filipovic.
Before Biola could even get settled on the pitch, the Golden Eagles were in front by multiple goals and the two squads had barely played ten minutes. Walkington surprised the visitors with another score before halftime to give Concordia a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Courtney Wiedeman joined the party with a goal in the 80th minute to make it 4-0.
Sophia Munoz then tallied the last goal of the game on a sweet tic-tac-toe with freshman
Mya Stice and Filipovic. Munoz also played a part in Walkington's first goal and finished with both a goal and an assist.
Olivia Ocampo,
Janessa Barton,
Madison Hall and
Gabby Breton were among the supporters who played solid defensively in the midfield and on the back end of the CUI defense to help Urquiza and Asato keep Biola off the scoreboard and register the clean sheet.
The Golden Eagles improved to 5-2-1 overall and are winners of two straight on the heels of that huge road victory over No. 6 Point Loma. Freshman
Hailey Havican net her first career goal wearing the Green and Gold in the 81st minute of that contest and it proved to be the deciding tally.
CUI has earned votes in the US Coaches NCAA DII Poll twice already this season and the Golden Eagles could break into the Top 25 in an upcoming poll with the way they are trending.
CLICK HERE To follow the current recent United Soccer Coaches NCAA DII Women's Soccer Top 25 Rankings
Concordia opens up PacWest Conference play this Friday, Sept. 30 at Azusa Pacific 5 p.m. The Golden Eagles will also get a rematch with Biola in a few weeks when the same two teams face off in Irvine again on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 3:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's schedule