GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – The Golden Eagles end their longest homestand to begin a season in program history this week with a match vs. rival Aquinas before traveling for the first time to take on WHAC foe Concordia on Friday at 4 p.m. CU looks to sure up the defense after losing both games last week, giving up three goals in each contest to fall to 2-2-1 on the year. Live video and stats will be available for both contests this week with links available HERE.
 
Freshman Fire Power
Freshman Arianna Rau out of Cedar Springs High School has made her mark known over the first five games as a reserve forward, and earned her first collegiate start against Madonna after scoring the lone two goals for CU this week in a comeback against Bethel. Rau is second on the team with 17 shots, and is known for her physical play in the middle. 
 
Record on the Road
As Cornerstone hits the road for the first time this week, it is important to note that they have had decent success in road games over the last five years. CU sits at exactly .500 in road contests, going 14-14-2 since the 2017 season. The most road wins the Golden Eagles have recorded in the program's history came in 2006 when they went 8-1-0 on the road as part of their 16-2-2 season. This season was also the first of three times that CU has qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. 
 
Playing at Home vs. AQ
Due to scheduling, COVID, and CU soccer field conditions, the Golden Eagles have not played at home against Aquinas since 2017. This is of note, as 2017 is the last time CU has beaten the Saints, losing each of the last five matchups. All-time, CU is 13-30-3 against Aquinas and they have gone 2-7-1 in their last 10 matchups. 
 
Breaking the Concordia Curse
In 2020, Cornerstone finally broke the Concordia curse winning the regular season and conference tournament game against the Cardinals. Prior to those two wins, CU had lost five straight games with four of those five by one goal. The last six times the two teams have met, the game has been decided by one goal, with two of those contests going to overtime. All-time, Cornerstone is 31-6-3 against the Cardinals, meaning that those five straight losses from 2016-19 were the first times CU had lost to Concordia since 1998. 
 
Scouting AQ
The defending WHAC Regular Season champion Aquinas Saints are back with a vengeance, as they currently rank number 14 in the NAIA top 25 Coaches' Poll. Aquinas is a veteran team that relies on the foot of defending WHAC Offensive Player of the Year Hannah Crum who is now a senior. Crum leads the team with six goals to go along with a team second best five assists this season as the team is averaging 4.25 goals a game in their 7-1-0 record. WHAC Defensive Player of the Year Breanna Probst also returns for her senior season manning the back line for AQ that has allowed just six goals this season. In net, junior keeper Tairyn Webb has been solid with an .842 save percentage and 5-1-0 record. Last time out, Aquinas scored 10 goals in the WHAC opener vs. Cleary. 
 
Scouting Concordia
The Cardinals are off to their best start in program history since 2014 with a 7-1-0 record this season. The defense has powered Concordia to their early success needing just 14 goals to go 7-1, but they have shutout their opponent in five of the eight contests. CUAA has not allowed a goal since September 8 vs. Bethel where they won 5-2, and the team is on a six-game winning streak. Keeper Anna Roman ranks 19^th in the country with a .907 save percentage this season as she has made 39 saves. Offensively, Isabel Stropich leads CUAA with five goals and 10 points as a junior forward. 
 
Women's Soccer Contact: Jesse Campbell 
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