LIVERMORE, Calif. - Despite a valiant effort, unfortunately the third time was not the charm for the Concordia University Irvine women's tennis team.

Playing at the NCAA DII West Regional for the second straight year and the third time in four seasons, the Golden Eagles battled with the top-seeded Academy of Art Urban Knights in northern California.

Just like their earlier match together than ART U won 4-3, it was a close match that saw multiple singles matches go to three sets.  By winning the crucial doubles point, ART U duplicated an early 1-0 advantage, just like they did during the regular season.

First Team All-Conference selection Sophie Rachor made mincemeat of her opponent at No. 1 singles. Rachor wrapped up a 6-0, 6-2 victory rather quickly to tie the match at 1-1 before any of the other singles matches were completed.

About an hour or so later, after ART U had secured a point at No. 5 singles, CUI senior Tiffany Carrillo secured another point for the Golden Eagles by outlasting her opponent in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.

Freshman Emilie Lugon-Moulin as well as teammates Jessica Bear and Alicia Da Re all won the first set in their matches, which were at the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 6 spots respectively. Unfortunately, the Urban Knights battled back to even the score, and Estelle Najean earned the comeback win at the No. 4 position to give ART U an important swing point.

Jessica Plazas also eked out a three-set victory at the No. 2 spot to help lift ART U to the hard-fought 4-2 victory.

Concordia concludes its impressive season with an overall record of 16-7.  The Golden Eagles also finished with an unbelievable 10-1 mark at home this season and are 22-2 over the past two full seasons when playing in Irvine.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's tennis schedule