IRVINE, Calif- On Wednesday night the Golden Eagles played their last non-conference home game against a familiar foe, the APU Cougars.

As the beginning of the game commenced, one could tell that something was in the air with this last non-conference game. With both PacWest teams competing against each other, it had all the feels of being a conference game without actually being one.

Just like in past games this year, the Golden Eagles once again seemed like they had a defensive mindset right from the kickoff. No Cougar could try and sneak past the tough and rugged defense of the Golden Eagles. Defenders such as #16 Mikel Villarreal, #5 Wyatt Burris, #6 Tyler Oakson, and #3 Ryan Smith made it an absolute defensive wrecking ball against the Cougars.

The offense for the Golden Eagles had opportunities in the first half but just couldn't capitalize on those opportunities. The Cougars defense was tough to penetrate, and the resulting score at the half was 0-0.

To begin the start of the second half, both teams ramped up the intensity because they knew that score would change at some point in the game. The question was, who was going to break the ice first?

The game went on, and nothing had really changed in terms of being a defensive minded contest between the two teams. The physicality factor in the second half played a much more significant role than in the first half. Both the Golden Eagles and the Cougars were getting to the ball quicker, sprinting faster, and using their bodies more to manipulate the ball to their advantage.

Once that physicality factor came into play, the Golden Eagles saw their opportunity. In the 75th minute of the game, senior #17 Sergio Gutierrez had another incredible rocket shot off a rebound and scored his second goal of the season, making the score 1-0.

After that goal, the Golden Eagles knew that there still was work to be done in order to come out of this game with their first win of the season. The defensive mindset for the Golden Eagles returned with even more sharpness to their talon's after Gutierrez's goal. They only allowed the Cougars to have five total shots, with only one of those shots being on target in the second half of play.

The game ended with a final score of 1-0 over the visiting Cougars, giving the Golden Eagles their first win under their wings this season.

For more men's soccer action, watch them back in action for the first conference home opener game this upcoming Saturday, Sept 23, at 3:30 p.m. against the Point Loma Sea Lions.

For the full CUI men's soccer schedule CLICK HERE