IRVINE, Calif. – Six is the magic number this week for the Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team.
The Golden Eagles moved up to No. 6 in the national rankings after Tuesday's new DII United Soccer Coaches Poll came out. Coach
Chris Gould's team had been ranked No. 12 and No. 10 the previous two weeks.
This comes on the heels of CUI locking down two more shutout victories against conference opponents Biola and Fresno Pacific. After those impressive results, the CUI women have won six straight home games this semester and have completed their first eight games overall without conceding a single goal this season!
The Golden Eagles have also won 13 straight home matches dating back to the second game of the 2023 season.
Hall's Defense
Junior
Madison Hall was an integral part of the CUI defense that only allowed two total shots on goal against Biola and FPU. Hall and the entire back line did a great job of helping goalie
Riley Urquiza have a relatively light couple of days at the office.
The conference rewarded Hall on Tuesday as the PacWest Defender of the Week for the first time in her career.
On Thursday,
the Golden Eagles defeated Biola 2-0 behind a goal and an assist by
Sarah Venegas before duplicating that result over the weekend.
CUI soared to a 2-0 victory over Fresno Pacific on Saturday night, capturing its seventh shutout victory thanks to a fantastic defensive effort.
Bella Barrett and
Maya Little each capitalized on offense by scoring from short range in the second half against the Sunbirds.
Maddie Lauro assisted on both goals.
Concordia heads to San Diego on Saturday for a huge road match at Point Loma. The Sea Lions are also ranked in the Top 25 and have won their last five matches in shutout fashion as well.
The Golden Eagles are 7-0-1 and itching for another chance at the defending NCAA DII National Champions who knocked them out of the playoffs last fall. Point Loma won that second round match 1-0 down in San Diego, but CUI has beaten Point Loma in the regular season each of the last two years.
Both Point Loma soccer squads are ranked No. 15 nationally this week. The Sea Lions also have to face PacWest Conference foe Azusa Pacific on Thursday before tangling with the Golden Eagles two days later.
CLICK HERE for the full DII Women's Soccer Rankings.
CLICK HERE for the updated CUI women's schedule
