HUMBOLDT, Calif. – Concordia University Irvine seniors
Bella Barrett and
Ashley Grubert scored within 42 seconds of each other to lead the Golden Eagles past Stanislaus State in Thursday's regular season opener.
Both teams were receiving votes in the US Coaches National Top 25 Preseason Poll and playing at a neutral site hosted by Cal Poly Humboldt.
The Green and Gold cashed in twice during the 25th minute of action to take control of the contest.
Mikayla Gonzalez fed the ball ahead to Grubert who was charging towards the corner. Grubert collected the ball and crossed it into traffic, where it missed at least one defender and found Barrett. The reigning PacWest Player of the Year then gathered the ball and quickly booted it past the keeper to put CUI up 1-0.
Barrett has now scored 15 career goals and needs three more to break into the Top 10 in the CUI women's soccer record books.
Less than a minute of time had ticked off the clock before the Golden Eagles drew a penalty kick opportunity. Grubert stepped up calmly and deposited her first goal of the season to the left side and it was 2-0 Concordia.
New Goalkeeper
Christina Sidoti snagged five saves in her Concordia debut and earned her first victory. Stanislaus State scored once to cut the lead in half, but the Green and Gold prevailed by ultimately protecting their lead.
"It is always nice to start off the year with a victory," said CUI head coach
Chris Gould. "We have a very challenging non-conference schedule and our group knows we can't look too far ahead. I am proud of our two senior captains both scoring, they are always leading by example on and off the field."
The Golden Eagles are back in action again on Saturday with a true road match against Cal Poly Humboldt. That game gets underway at 11:30 a.m. PT
CUI will then play one more road contest before its home opener against Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. PT.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's soccer schedule
