CARSON, Calif. – For the first time in the NCAA DII era of the program, the Concordia University Irvine men's soccer team was receiving votes in the national United Soccer Coaches Poll.
Coming off
a fantastic 3-2 road win over Fresno Pacific on Saturday, CUI was looking to capture another non-conference win against a CCAA foe during a visit to Cal State Dominguez Hills on Tuesday.
The first 45 minutes went according to the script that the Golden Eagles were hoping to see unfold.
Bryan Maldonado found some open space across mid-pitch in the 20th minute of action. He then pushed the ball towards the left side for his fellow man
Marcus Ozmai to take the wheel. Ozmai drove towards the left post and attracted not one but two defenders before crossing neatly and finding
Andy Jun, who was camped out closer to the opposite part of the box. Jun timed it perfectly and bounced the ball across the line to put CUI up 1-0.
Sebastian Marin also made multiple timely saves, including a point-blank stuff of a Toro to help preserve a goose egg on the scoreboard before intermission.
Marin finished with six saves.
Rowan Johnson helped close out the contest for the final 16 minutes.
Hugo Viramontes nearly headed in a goal late in the match off a cross by Jun. While his attempt was unlucky, it did find favor with
Dylan Graham, who rebounded the miss and poked the ball forward twice to make sure he scored the second goal of the game for the Golden Eagles.
That rounded out the scoring as CSUDH prevailed 4-2 in the end.
Concordia is on the road again this Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. PT for a non-conference clash with the new-look Biola Eagles. The next home game for the Green and Gold will be the following weekend when Concordia hosts Hawaii Hilo for the PacWest Conference opener at 6:30 p.m. following the women's match at 3:30 that same day.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's soccer schedule
