IRVINE, Calif. - A pair of Golden Eagles found the back of the net for the first time this season and a renewed focus on the defensive end led to a 2-1 home victory over UC Merced on Thursday night.

Jordan Toy put CUI on the board in the 39th minute to knot the score at 1-1. Senior defender Ryan Smith passed the ball ahead to Andy Jun to flip the field and then Jun found a cutting Toy who was able to navigate around UC Merced's keeper and rocket home a shot past another defender.  The match would stay tied through intermission.

Former First Team All-PacWest selection Miguel Arroyo cashed in off a pass from Smith early in the second half. Barely 60 seconds after play had resumed, Arroyo let it fly for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.

With his two assists in this game, Smith moved into the team lead with four points so far through Concordia's first five games.

Sebastian Marin made four saves over the course of the game.  CUI out shot the visiting Bobcats by a count of 12-8 and also put half of their shots on goal (6).  Jad Othman, Hugo Viramontes, captain Domenyk Jara and Smith joined Marin in playing all 90 minutes. 

CUI improved to 2-3 with the victory. The Golden Eagles close out the non-conference portion of their schedule this Sunday, Sept 28 with a home match against Cal State East Bay.  The game is slated to begin at 4 p.m. PT

PacWest Conference play begins next Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. when the men's team welcomes Dominican to town. That match will be the second part of a doubleheader with the Penguins as the women's soccer squads play first at noon that day.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's soccer schedule