IRVINE, Calif. – Women's soccer made the short trek to Golden Eagles Field for its second showdown with Concordia of the campaign. Like the first fixture in late September, CUI were 2-0 victors, breaching the VU defense with Bella Barrett's third-minute penalty kick and finishing the job through Reagan Van Horn in the 75th minute of play.

Unlike the more balanced exchange in the previous meeting, CUI set the pace for the full 90 minutes, holding the Lions to just two shots, the lowest since a 2-0 loss to #3 Indiana Wesleyan in September 2023.

The Lions drop to 3-6-1 and 1-3 in the Pacific West Conference. CUI remains unbeaten in conference, moving to 8-1-3, 3-0-2.

What Happened? The Lions were without a shot in a half for the first time this season, as the Golden Eagles won the first frame in shots (6-0).

CUI opened the scoring after a winger was clipped in the box from the left side, to award an early penalty kick within three minutes of kickoff. In net, Josselyne Navarrete in the net read the shot direction, but couldn't stop the perfectly placed Barrett spot kick, which was fired to the top left corner.

The goal for Barrett was her fourth of the season and third career goal against the Lions. All four of Barrett's goals in 2025 have come within the first 15 minutes of a match this season.

VU finally got into the CUI half in the sixth minute, with Sydney Powell's run toward the ball cut out by the CUI keeper, who was quick off her line. The moment was a constant across the 90 minutes, as the Lions had phases of solid possession, but could never quite link up with their strikers to create any dangerous opportunities. Powell and Rachel Penick nearly had the answer in the 31st minute, with a sleek combination near the tip of the 18-yard box, but Riley Urquiza read the move off her line once more.

In the 37th minute, CUI created a deadly gap from the left, floating in an inviting cross toward the VU box. The ball flicked off a Golden Eagle head and fell to a CUI striker through on goal. Navarrete was brave off her line, throwing off the shot attempt, which cracked against the woodwork, resulting in a hard-hitting collision between both players.

The sophomore keeper was back on her feet and in action a few minutes later, making her second save of the contest to her bottom right.

The Golden Eagles increased the shot attempts (7-2 CUI) in the second half and cranked up the intensity to give VU problems in possession. The Lions earned two shots from Penick and Kennedy Cypher, with neither attempt troubling the CUI keeper.

In defense, Hannah Caira, Kalena Yamashita, and Navarrete were hard at work to break down clear-cut chances throughout the half. They helped guard an avalanche of shots as CUI pelted four toward the VU net within a six-minute window.

The Lions first defended a free kick, as the VU wall did its job in the 63rd minute to dampen a shot down the middle. Next, VU handled themselves on two long throw-ins, swarming on the scraps to keep the ball out.

The last valiant VU defensive play was anchored by Navarrete. The Lions played out the back from a goal kick, but gave it away in midfield. CUI fired the ball into Barrett, who settled the ball on her left to fire the shot to the bottom left corner. Navarrete made an excellent stop, sprawling across her right to push the shot into her bottom post, before cushioning the rebound against her chest.

Concordia finished the game in the 75th minute. Their aggression won the ball off another VU goal kick, with Anjelina Nieto and Van Horn interlocking on the counter-attack. Van Horn was the recipient at the edge of the box and slotted the finish to the bottom right corner.

What's Next? The Blue and Gold visit the defending conference champions, Point Loma, on Saturday, October 18, at 11:30 am.