IRVINE, Calif. – Some late-game heroics on Thursday helped the nationally ranked Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team maneuver to a 1-1 draw at Azusa Pacific.

A late equalizer by Maddie Lauro proved to be huge for Concordia as the Golden Eagles were on the cusp of being defeated for the first time in nearly six weeks.

In the 86th minute of action and trailing for the first time in ten games, CUI kept the pressure on the Cougars.  Gabby Breton lobbed a good ball over the top of the defense and then Riley Walkington and Hailey Havican helped collect it to keep possession on that side of the pitch.  Olivia Ocampo eventually found a brief amount of time to cross the ball into the box and Lauro popped a header gently over the keeper's head to tie the game in clutch fashion.

A record-setting shutout streak that dates back to the season opener ended for the Golden Eagles in the 78th minute of action.  APU scored the first goal of the contest when Avery Guiel was able to find the back of the net.

Over the course of the last 11 games, the CUI defense shattered the school record for the longest scoreless streak. The CUI defense did not allow a goal during its recent nine-game winning streak and only allowed one in the home opener against Cal State Los Angeles before Thursday night. 

The new record for scoreless streak in a season now stands at 913 minutes and 18 seconds.

To put that in perspective, the previous record for the CUI defense was 529 consecutive scoreless minutes during the 2007 season. Wow.

Thanks to the relentless attack by the Golden Eagles and the clutch goal by Lauro, CUI has still not lost a match since the 1-0 loss in the season opener against Cal State LA.

Senior Night will be this Saturday evening right before the 6:30 p.m. home match with Fresno Pacific University.  It will be a doubleheader with the men's team playing first against the Sunbirds at 3:30 p.m. followed by the women.

CLICK HERE for the updated CUI women's soccer schedule