SAN DIEGO, Calif. - For the third straight year, the Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team qualified for the NCAA DII West Regional tournament. 
 
The Golden Eagles also earned the chance to play down in San Diego for the second year in a row and a shot at facing Hawai'i Hilo for the second straight game.
 
Unfortunately, this time CUI's season came to a close in the first round after a 3-1 result that went to the Vulcans.
 
No. 6 seed CUI was down 1-0 at halftime after a goal by Jazlynn Ellis in the 37th minute. Goalkeeper Riley Urquiza made multiple smart plays to help keep the Golden Eagles within striking distance of the No. 3 seeded Vulcans.
 
The Golden Eagles were eager to search for the equalizer but the Vulcans struck first just 23 seconds into the second half to grab a 2-0 advantage.
 
After UHH drew a penalty and converted CUI got on the board. The Golden Eagles scored in the second half after Irandy Erazo placed a good ball over the top of the defense. Mya Stice saved the ball from going out of bounds and poked it to her teammate Nikki Marino while falling down to the ground. Marino cashed in to cut the deficit to 3-1. 
 
Ashley Grubert also floated a dangerous shot towards the goal late in the second half but it just missed over the top of the crossbar.  Hawaii Hilo held on to secure the victory and advance by that 3-1 score.
 
All-Conference goalkeeper Riley Urquiza finished with five saves.

CUI closes out the year with an impressive 13-3-2 record. The ladies were 13-1-2 against all schools not named Hawaii Hilo and reeled off eight straight clean sheets to open the 2024 campaign.

This senior class was a huge part of the program leveling up to be a nationally-ranked team on a weekly basis and also helped CUI women's soccer win its first three NCAA DII regional playoff victories over the past two seasons.
 
The Golden Eagles also had a program record-tying eight student-athletes earn All-Conference honors earlier this month.

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