IRVINE, Calif. – A familiar formula helped No. 14 Concordia women's soccer extend its winning streak to seven games.
The Golden Eagles also notched their seventh consecutive shutout and have now outscored their opposition 14-1 in their first eight matches.
For the second straight contest,
Olivia Ocampo cashed in with a clutch score off a penalty kick. It proved to be the lone goal of the entire night, mirroring what happened this past Saturday, when
CUI defeated Point Loma 1-0 in the PacWest Conference opener. Ocampo leads CUI with three goals this season.
Two-time PacWest Defender of the Week and starting goalkeeper
Riley Urquiza and
current PacWest Defender of the Week Briana Guerra helped CUI clamp down on the back line and halt the Biola attack.
Biola had a couple opportunities to put the Golden Eagles on their heels but could not get a clean shot off in the first half. That changed after intermission.
The visitors earned multiple free kicks with under 20 minutes to go in regulation but the CUI defense prevailed each time.
In the 79th minute, Biola's Ella Grannis made a strong run and was able to get off a strong shot on a breakaway. However, Urquiza stonewalled the shot and it deflected to teammate
Gabby Breton who was able to clear the danger from there.
The Golden Eagles were able to fend off the advances from their rivals the rest of the way and help Urquiza keep the clean sheet.
Ranked No. 14 earlier this week in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA DII poll,
CUI earned its highest national ranking in the program's DII era. CUI climbed back in to the Top 25 after being ranked No. 17 in the preseason national rankings.
Concordia hosts Academy of Art in its next home conference match on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. That will be a part of a doubleheader against the Urban Knights with the men playing first at 3:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the updated CUI women's soccer schedule