IRVINE, Calif. – Perhaps it was fitting that two teams with identical records wound up playing to a draw after a full 90 minutes on the pitch.

Playing a rare Sunday afternoon game on home turf, the Concordia University Irvine men's soccer team competed to the final whistle in a 1-1 decision with Cal State East Bay.

Kevin Sanchez tallied his second goal of the season in the 52nd minutes after Hugo Viramontes and then Bryan Maldonado worked the ball ahead to him. The ball ricocheted off at least one defender and in for the first goal of the match. It was a nifty effort by all three men to basically move the ball the length of the field and break the scoreless tie.

However, nearly six minutes later, the visiting Pioneers were able to net the equalizer on a cross.

The Golden Eagles outshot the Pioneers 11-3 in the first half and ultimately 15-10 for the entire game. Former First Team All-Conference selection Miguel Arroyo tried everything to give the Green and Gold another score and finished with a career-high nine shots. Three of those shots were on target.

Griffin Welsch made his Concordia debut and came up with four saves. The Golden Eagles did a fine job keeping possession for most of the contest to create scoring opportunities.

CUI then returns home this Saturday, Oct. 4 to face the Dominican Penguins for a league match starting at 2:30 p.m. at Golden Eagles Field.  This will be the first home conference doubleheader for the two Concordia soccer teams this regular season, with the women playing first at 12:00 p.m. PT

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's soccer schedule