Fresno, Calif. – The Concordia Golden Eagles had a hopeful start in their regular season finale against the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds, but it didn’t end well.
Andy Jun scored early, putting Concordia ahead 1-0. He took a great shot after Bryan Maldonado’s attempt caused a scramble in front of the goal. But the Sunbirds quickly equalized before halftime and later pulled ahead 3-1 midway through the second half.
Concordia didn’t give up. After a throw-in by Jad Othman, Gianluca Giumaraes skillfully controlled the ball and sent a precise cross to Ryan Smith, who scored, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
Despite earning ten corner kicks and several chances after that, the Golden Eagles couldn’t find an equalizer. Fresno Pacific eventually scored again, and in a heartbreaking moment, an own goal sealed the game at 5-2.
CUI finished with 15 points in the PacWest standings, holding onto a chance for a spot in the upcoming conference tournament. However, many teams still have games left this week. Their fate now depends on how other matches play out. Point Loma is leading the table.
If they qualify, the semifinals will take place at Westmont in Santa Barbara on November 13, followed by the championship game on November 15.
This season has been a mixed bag. Under first-year coach Joshua Glover, the team ended with an overall record of 8-7-1—its best since 2019. Notably, they achieved a stunning 7-0 victory over Biola, setting a record for most goals in a single match during the D2 era.
In a broader context, many collegiate soccer teams have faced challenges this season with player injuries and unexpected results. Recent statistics show that teams like Concordia have had to adapt more quickly than ever to remain competitive. This reflects a growing trend in college athletics where the margin for success is thinner.
The season may be wrapping up, but the excitement is still alive as teams vie for tournament spots. Let’s see how it plays out.
For updates on the standings, click here. For the full CUI men’s soccer schedule, click here.
