Five PacWest teams opened up conference play at 1-0, including Point Loma who went on the road to record impressive wins over Menlo and Dominican. Azusa Pacific's Jaci Maze scored twice during the Cougars' 2-1 win over Fresno Pacific, and Concordia keeper Riley Urquiza helped keep opponents off the scoreboard with five saves and two shutouts. 
 
2024 Results/Schedule
2024 Standings
2024 Statistics
2024 National Poll
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Azusa Pacific's Jaci Maze, F, Gr., 5-7, Visalia, Calif.                                                            
Azusa Pacific's Jaci Maze provided the offense for her team during a PacWest-opening 2-1 victory over Fresno Pacific in APU's lone match last week. The fourth-year Cougar returned to the valley near her home of Visalia and pocketed two goals against the Sunbirds to help APU improve to 5-0-1 on the season and to 1-0 in league play. Trailing 1-0, Maze scored in the 47th and 52nd minute to give her team the lead for good with her third and fourth goals of the season. After just scoring one goal in each of her first three seasons, Maze is now tied for the conference lead with four scores on the year.
 
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK: Concordia's Riley Urquiza, GK, Jr., 5-5, Huntington Beach, Calif.                                
Concordia's Riley Urquiza directed a stout Golden Eagle defense to another pair of blank sheets last week, and added to some impressive numbers in the process. Concordia opened PacWest play with a 2-0 victory over Menlo, with Urquiza securing two saves. Earlier in the week, the Golden Eagles tied CS San Marcos 0-0, thanks in part to the junior keeper's three saves. Urquiza now has six clean sheets to start the season and has 18 career shutouts, second all-time at CUI. This is also her fifth PacWest Defender of the Week award, tied for third all-time on the conference list. The Golden Eagles have still has not conceded a single goal after 6 games (5-0-1 overall), or 540 minutes with out allowing a score against.


TEAM OF THE WEEK: Point Loma Sea Lions                                                                                                                      
Point Loma made steps one and two in defending their conference crown with wins at Menlo (2-0) and Dominican (1-0). Mara Sovde and Lily Larez scored in Atherton for the visitors and Alana Diaz knocked in PLNU's only goal at 88:01 to grab the win at Dominican. 2023 PacWest Defender of the Year Emma Thrapp helped direct the two shutouts for PLNU, limiting opponents to just three shots on goal in the two games. The Sea Lions are now 2-0 in league play and 5-1-1 overall, and have won three straight matches. 
 
PACWEST NEWS AND NOTES: In addition to Concordia, Hawai`i Hilo remained unbeaten on the season with a conference-opening 2-1 win over Hawai`i Pacific. The Vulcans improved to 4-0-2 overall with the win over the rival Sharks, with goals from Alyssa Padron and Jazzlyn Ellis...HPU beat Chaminade in a non-conference game, 1-0...Westmont picked up its first win of the season and it was a conference three points as well, with a 1-0 shutout of Biola. Amarys Machado scored the game winner at 88:58, and goalkeeper Ellie Ludwig had an impressive six saves to go with her shutout...Despite the loss, Biola also had two ties on the week in non-conference action, knotting with Stanislaus State (1-1) and Chico State (2-2)...Jessup won a non-conference bout with Academy of Art (2-1), using Kaylee Gillespie's match winner at 82:57...Fresno Pacific keeper Monique Neverez had a active week with 12 saves against just two goals allowed. The Sunbirds shutout Vanguard (2-0) and fell to Azusa Pacific (2-1)...Vanguard won its first PacWest match with a 3-0 verdict of Jessup. Kaitlyn Currier had two of the Lions' three goals...In last week's United Soccer Coaches National Poll, Concordia moved up to the No. 12 slot, Point Loma is No. 18 and Azusa Pacific entered the poll at No. 22. Hawai`i Hilo is among Others Receiving Votes.

LOOKING AHEAD 
It's early in the conference season, but there are some big matches this week on the islands and the mainland. Dominican will make their way to Hawai`i for matches at Chaminade, Hawai`i Pacific and Hawai`i Hilo, same for Academy of Art. Back in California on a busy Thursday, Vanguard (2-0) will host Point Loma (2-0), Azusa Pacific is at Westmont, Menlo travels to Jessup and Biola is at Concordia. Matches continue through the weekend in Hawai`i, while on Saturday in southern California Westmont visits Point Loma and Fresno Pacific is at Concordia.