IRVINE, Calif. - In a heated battle on Saturday afternoon's competition, the Golden Eagles took on the nationally ranked #12 team in the country, Cal State University San Bernardino (CSUSB), Coyotes (Yotes).

Coming into the match, the Golden Eagles knew they had a tall task ahead of them with the Yotes coming into town. CUI took that challenge and really made an impact statement. With little opportunity arising around the box, the Golden Eagles were persistent enough to draw a free kick about 5 yards outside the keeper's box. Miguel Arroyo and Julian Svoboda lined up to take the kick. Arroyo faked his kick, and Svoboda had an absolutely beautiful top-shelf shot in the 36th minute from about 25-30 yards out.

To keep the ball rolling, Miguel Arroyo capitalized on a beautiful cross from Kevin Sanchez less than 45 seconds later to really put the Yotes on their heels. Ryan Smith started the buildup by ripping the ball away from a Yote, turning up field and smoothly finding the foot of Sanchez down the right sideline. Both were credited with assists for Arroyo's goal. With two back-to-back statement goals, the Golden Eagles headed into the half 2-0 and in high spirits.

Throughout the game, both teams were extremely aggressive towards one another, which resulted in a plethora of yellow cards plus one red card that was handed to the Yotes. CUI used this play to their advantage and capitalized in or around the keeper's box because that's where all of their scoring came from. To top off the game, there was a beautiful cross-field lead pass from CUI's backfield to a streaking Leo Sanchez who had a crispy touch pass to Rafael Espinoza for an exciting shot on goal. The ball caromed off the goalie for the initial save, but Kevin Sanchez immediately headed the ball in to the back of the net for CUI's third goal in the game. That effectively iced the game to the delight of the home crowd and the entire Golden Eagles bench.

With a final score of 3-0, this is CUI's first win over a ranked opponent this season and the first in three years, since Concordia defeated Azusa Pacific during the 2021 season.

You can catch more action from men's soccer if you CLICK HERE to view their full schedule. The next opponent CUI takes on is another nationally ranked team, the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos, on September 25th.