IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team scored a huge road victory Monday in a highly-anticipated match between two Top 10 nationally-ranked schools.

No. 8 CUI defeated No. 10 Hawai'i Hilo 2-1 to open up a three-game road trip out on the islands. The game featured two teams vying for the league crown atop the PacWest standings along with lurking programs such as Chaminade and Westmont which are still in shouting distance entering November.

With the victory, CUI improved to 11-1-1 overall and stayed undefeated in league play.  The Golden Eagles are now 6-0-1 in PacWest action and have not lost since the season opener against then-No. 24 Cal State Los Angeles.

"I am insanely proud of this team," said senior midfielder Layla Comeaux. "We knew how big this game was and we rose to the occasion. Every single player played lights out."

Riley Walkington and Maddie Lauro each net a goal in the first half to stake the Golden Eagles to a 2-0 lead by intermission.  Both goals came off caroms and slight hesitation by the UHH defense while the Golden Eagles looked to fly in decisively to put a good shot on goal.

Walkington's goal came off a free kick by fellow senior Briana Guerra. The ball briefly bounced up in the air and found Walkington's foot.  She immediately poked it into the goal and despite initially being called for offsides, the officials gathered and confirmed that the goal was legal and no offsides had been committed. 

Lauro's goal doubled the lead before the break and came off a rebound. Walkington sent a screamer into the box that looked like it was destined to go out of bounds, but Concordia was able to keep it in play. After the ball ricocheted back towards multiple players, Lauro swooped in and deftly placed the ball inside the right post.

"With four games left in conference play, the team came into the game fierce, knowing what winning would mean for the rest of our conference," added senior defender Gabby Breton. "Our two goals in the first half helped us get momentum and keep the lead long enough to get the result." 

The Vulcans capitalized on a penalty kick to slice the deficit in half, but sophomore goalie Riley Urquiza and the back line worked together to never allow the equalizer and silence the home crowd in impressive fashion.

Urquiza came up with four sizzling saves to help Concordia extend its unbeaten streak to 12 matches.  She continues to be clutch for her team no matter the situation or opponent. 

Between Urquiza and fellow goalie Erica Ihlein, Concordia has only conceded four goals all season and is on pace to shatter the school record for fewest goals allowed in a single season.  The current mark entering this fall is 14 goals allowed by the 2000 Concordia women's soccer team.

CUI is in the driver's seat for the conference crown now with three games remaining on its schedule. Upcoming opponents Chaminade and Westmont are still within striking distance 

CLICK HERE for the updated PacWest women's soccer standings

The Golden Eagles continue their road trip out on the islands this week with a match against the Silverswords on Thursday (3:30 p.m. PT).  CUI then rounds out the week with a Saturday date against Hawai'i Pacific before the regular season finale the following Saturday out in Santa Barbara to face the newest PacWest member in Westmont.

CLICK HERE for the updated CUI women's soccer schedule