IRVINE, Calif. – A new soccer season is almost upon us and the nationally-ranked CUI women's soccer team was voted second in the PacWest Preseason Poll this August.
Concordia University Irvine also comes in at No. 25 in the U.S. Coaches National Poll to open the season and is slotted behind defending conference champion Point Loma after a vote from the league's head coaches.
Despite graduating multiple All-Conference selections and seeing former Golden Eagles
Val Cortez (
Toluca FC)Â andÂ
Maddie Lauro (Campbelltown City SC)Â
sign professional contracts, this Concordia squad is loaded with experience. The Golden Eagles won 13 games under head coach
Chris Gould for the second straight time and have advanced to the NCAA DII Regional playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
Co-PacWest Goalkeeper of the Year
Riley Urquiza is one of three returning First Team All-PacWest selections from a year ago. Defender
Madison Hall and forward
Hailey Havican were both also D2CCA Second Team All-Region honorees in 2024 and will be leaned on as key players once again.
Also back for the Green and Gold is Second Team All-PacWest pick
Ashley Grubert and Third Team All-PacWest selection
Sarah Venegas, who are both juniors.
Nine new Golden Eagles join the squad in 2025 led by four transfers. That group includes
Mikayla Gonzalez (D, RS Soph., Azusa Pacific),
Anjelina Nieto (F, Jr., Saddleback College), Sloan De Torres (M, Jr., Santiago Canyon College) and
Elle Soleau (M, Sr., Univ. of San Diego).
Five freshmen will look to add to the fun with some more California ties.
Kalli Cho, (M, Maria Carrillo HS);
Natalie Lobo (Los Alamitos HS) and
Avery Munoz (M, Guajome Park Academy) all hail from the Golden State. Avery is the younger sister of former All-Conference defender Sofia Munoz who graduated this past spring. Also part of this exciting incoming class are
Ella Cook (F, Claremont Secondary) of British Columbia and
Alice Araya (D, Conard HS) who comes to Concordia all the way from the state of Connecticut.
CLICK HERE for the full PacWest Preseason Poll Story
CUI begins the regular season on the road at Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday, Sept 6 at 11:00 a.m.
After another road match in the first month of the campaign, the Golden Eagles will play their home opener on Saturday, Sept 13 at 6:30 p.m. against Cal State San Marcos.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's schedule
