IRVINE, Calif - The FPU Women's soccer team were defeated Saturday at the hands of PacWest-leading and NCAA-ranked Concordia University Irvine by a score of 2-0. The Sunbirds showed plenty of grit in holding the home side to only 2 goals, as the game had the potential to become one of the more lopsided results in the PacWest all season.
The Eagles are a top-10 team in the country, and very much looked the part Saturday night. The hosts outshot the Sunbirds by a staggering 28 (13) - 2 (1) margin. Karyme Hernandez managed FPU's only shot on target, and it came in the 7th minute when she challenged the CUI keeper to make a save in the lower corner of goal.
A scoreless first half meant that FPU has now kept their opponents out of goal in 10 of their last 12 halves of soccer. But the high-flying Eagles came out strong to begin the second half and a 51st minute strike by Bella Barrett gave the home side the lead. They would double the deficit when Maya Little beat FPU keeper Monique Nevarez in the 72nd minute.
Nevarez continues to keep FPU in games with her elite shot-stopping prowess. Despite the 2 goals allowed, she made 11 saves in the contest which brings her season total to a whopping 34 saves. PacWest leading scorer Hailey Havican didn't find the net for the Eagles, but she did attempt 5 shots - 3 of which were on target and saved by Nevarez.
Coupled with last week's defeat to Azusa Pacific, this is now back-to-back losses for FPU against nationally-ranked PacWest opponents. But not all is lost; the Sunbirds are picking up valuable experience as they approach the final run-in of the 2024 season. FPU is back in action away to Westmont next Saturday at 3:15pm PT, and the game will stream live on the PacWest Network.
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