Atherton, Calif. – 540 minutes.
That's the number of minutes the Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team has played this year.
It also doubles as the current scoreless minute streak for the No. 12 team in the nation.
The nationally ranked Golden Eagles secured their sixth straight clean sheet of the season with a 2-0 win over Menlo College on Saturday afternoon.
CUI won its PacWest Conference opener in what was the first meeting between the two programs since Menlo joined the league and moved up to the NCAA DII level.
The Golden Eagles out shot the Oaks 5-3 in the first 45 minutes.
Bella Barrett put a shot on target in the 22nd minute of action but it was saved by the Menlo goalkeeper.
Irandy Erazo also put two shots on goal in the first half.
It was still a tight affair when the teams hit the halfway point, with dueling goose eggs on the scoreboard.
But then
Ashley Grubert opened the scoring by cashing in during the 64th minute.
Hailey Havican was credited with the assist to give her a team-best nine points already this season. Havican has already tied her total of four goals from a year ago, and is one point away from reaching her career-high of 10 points in a single season.
Sarah Venegas gave CUI some extra room to operate when she connected off a great lead pass over the top from
Nikki Marino. Marino booted the ball to a dangerous spot for the Menlo defense to help their keeper, and Venegas was not shy about getting a good shot off. She timed it well and CUI led 2-0 in the 83rd minute of play.
The Oaks could not solve the CUI defense – which has been puzzling opponents this entire month of September. CUI earned five corner kicks and limited the Oaks to only one corner.
CUI goalie
Riley Urquiza also collected a pair of saves to help keep the Oaks at bay and earn her fifth straight shutout of the year (
Erica Ihlein and her combined for the other clean sheet a few weeks ago).
Saturday's match incredibly was the 16th time in the last 24 matches that the CUI defense has not allowed a single goal.
It all added up to a pretty cool birthday present for CUI head coach
Chris Gould, who now has led the women's soccer program to 163 victories during his tenure.
CUI improved to 5-0-1 and now brings a six-game unbeaten streak into their first home conference game this coming Thursday, Oct. 3 against Biola. That contest begins at 6:30 p.m. after the men play first at 4 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the CUI women's soccer schedule
