FRESNO, Calif. — The Concordia University Irvine women's soccer team dropped a close 1–0 match on the road Saturday at Fresno Pacific.
The Golden Eagles held a 7–4 edge in shots and earned five corner kicks but were unable to find the equalizer after a first-half goal from the Sunbirds proved to be the difference.
Goalkeeper Riley Urquiza recorded a save while the CUI back line limited Fresno Pacific to just one shot on goal in the second half. Irandy Erazo, Ashley Grubert, and Anjelina Nieto each created strong scoring chances for the Golden Eagles.
With the result, CUI finishes the regular season with a 10–3–4 overall record and 5–2–3 in PacWest play. All ten victories were shutouts and CUI managed 11 clean sheets, while outscoring opponents by a whopping +18 margin. The seven goals allowed also set a new school record for Fewest Goals Allowed in a Single Season.
If Point Loma, Dominican and Hawaii Hilo manage to secure at least 4 points in their final two games they will pass CUI for the final three spots in the upcoming PacWest Conference Tournament later this month.
CUI holds the head-to-head tiebreaker on Westmont by virtue of the Green and Gold's 1-0 victory earlier this season in Santa Barbara. CUI also would have the head-to-head tiebreaker on Hawaii Hilo if they both end up with 18 points.
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There is a slim chance that CUI qualifies for the NCAA West Regional tournament but entering the first full week of November, CUI is ranked No. 8 in the regional rankings and the top seven teams would go (including the three conference qualifiers from the PacWest, CCAA and GNAC). Last year, APU finished fifth in the PacWest and did Not make the Conference Tournament, yet still qualified for the NCAA Regional (it's rare but possible).
