IRVINE, Calif. – Earth, Wind and Fire once sang about remembering the 21st night of September.

The Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team will certainly remember what happened on that date here in 2023 against Cal State East Bay.

The Golden Eagles notched their fifth straight shutout win to close out the non-conference portion of their schedule. Val Cortez scored on a deep shot off a short pass from Maddie Lauro midway through the first half and that ultimately was the only goal that would be scored on this night.

The 1-0 victory also marked win No. 150 for CUI director of soccer Chris Gould, who has worked with associate head coach Cheyne Gordon for more than a decade and helped the women's program evolve into a team with serious postseason goals at the NCAA DII level. The two men are former teammates and CUI men's soccer alumni as well.

Two-time PacWest Defender of the Week Riley Urquiza was stellar in goal once again.  Urquiza came up with multiple stops at critical junctures in the contest.  Particularly in the second half, she made a diving save to her left by going full extension to make one denial on a nifty attempt by the Pioneers.  She was credited with a season-high six saves and has allowed only one goal in six matches this fall.

Later in the second half when the Pioneers started to run out of time trying to find the equalizer, Urquiza made an important stop but the rebound found the foot of a second Cal State East Bay player.  Thankfully for the Golden Eagles, the immediate shot attempt that followed sailed over the net to no avail.

Both teams exhibited some exquisite passing sequences and made a real case to be ranked in the Top 8 in the region moving forward. It was clear both teams had good chemistry and the ability to control possession for large stretches at a time as they built up their attack and also tried to counter at times.  Both defenses were up to the task as well as the final score indicated.

CLICK HERE to see Cortez's Clutch Goal & Our Highlight Reel

CUI out-shot the Pioneers 13-10 and earned four corner kicks. 

The Golden Eagles complete non-conference play with a 5-1 record and have not allowed a goal since their season opener, outscoring the opposition 12-1 through the first month of action.

Concordia hosts Point Loma next in the PacWest Conference opener for both squads this Saturday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m.  Both women's teams are receiving votes nationally in the United States Coaches Poll and were previously ranked in the Top 25 in the country in the Preseason Poll

CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's soccer schedule