RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The 2025 Concordia University Chicago (CUC) women's soccer season has concluded. The Cougars finished the season 3-13-3 overall and 3-7-2 in Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) play.
Season Recap
CUC struggled to find its footing in the first four non-conference games of the season, going 0-4 against Elmhurst University, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), Carthage College, and University of Dubuque (UD). Despite being blanked in all four games, the team found multiple positives to build upon as the season progressed. In addition,
Naomi Gonzales (Santa Rosa, Calif.) picked up a career-high 11 saves against UD and
Katelyn Wagner (Lagrange, Ky.) recorded a season-best four saves against Carthage, showing the team's strength in net.
The Cougars scored their first goal of the season on September 7 against Beloit College. After being down 1-0 at halftime, CUC capitalized on an opportunity in the 61
st minute. Pressing up the field,
Sofia Cazares (Rockford, Ill.) was able to slot the ball into the box for
Angelina Barreno (Chicago, Ill.) to tap in for her first career goal. The grit and fight from the Cougars earned the team a 1-1 tie. To round out the non-conference slate, CUC faced Saint Mary's College (Ind.) and Kalamazoo College. Both battles were intense, but the Cougars fell 3-0 and 2-0, respectively.
On September 17, NACC action began with a home game against Rockford University. The Cougars dominated the entire game, recording 50 total shots.
Erika Flores (Oxnard, Calif.) led the offense with nine shots, five of which were on goal. Flores was also responsible for the lone goal of the game, after knocking the ball into the back of the net off a cross from
Alexa Martinez (Downey, Calif.). For the next two matchups, the Cougars hosted the top two programs in the NACC, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and Illinois Tech. Against MSOE, it was a back-and-forth battle, with both squads creating opportunities. While the Raiders took the game 2-0, the game was highlighted by a career-high 13 saves made by
Brooke Sheriff (Simi Valley, Calif.). Sheriff also led the squad against the Scarlet Hawks with eight saves in the 1-0 loss.
To round out September, the Cougars went back to winning ways with a massive 5-0 victory over Lakeland University. CUC outshot the Muskies 22 to four and had 16 shots on frame. All five goals scored were the first career goals of each goal scorer, including,
Grace Chavez (Morgan Hill, Calif.),
Morgan Burnap (Strafford, N.H.),
Luciana Morán Cruz (Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico),
Stacey Maskery (Alfreton, England), and
Lucie Carter (Valparaiso, Ind.).
October began with a trip to Aurora University. After going down early, Barreno fired a missile from deep into the back of the net to tie it up. However, a late Spartan goal stole the point away from the Cougars and they fell 2-1. On October 5, CUC hosted St. Norbert College. Down 1-0 at half, Barreno once again capitalized on an opportunity and the Cougars tied 1-1. Three days later, a trip up to Mequon to face Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) ended in a 3-0 loss.
A week later, the Eagles of Benedictine University came to River Forest. In an important matchup, the Cougars came out on top, 4-2.
Mia Hirayama (Mililani, Hawaii), Natalie Flores (Placentia, Calif.), Martinez and Chavez each contributed a goal while Barreno, Martinez and Burnap each had an assist. Then, Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) to town. In a tight battle, goals from N. Flores and E. Flores put the Cougars ahead, but a rally from the Warriors saw the game end in a 2-2 tie.
In the final three games of the season, the Cougars went 0-3 against Edgewood University, Marian University, and Dominican University. CUC let up no more than two goals in each game and Chavez scored in the 2-1 loss to Dominican.
Graduating Seniors
CUC graduates three seniors.
Brooke Sheriff played in 15 games this season, starting in 10 of them. Sheriff secured a career-high 13 saves against MSOE, recorded a save percentage of .769, and a season total of 60 saves.
Ariana Rodriguez played in four games this season and totaled 33 minutes of action.
Morgan Burnap played in 16 games this season, starting in five of them. She scored her first career goal against Lakeland and tallied two assists on the season.
Impactful Returners
Angelina Barreno shined in her debut season, playing in 18 games this season and starting in 15 of them. She led the team with seven points, scoring three goals and tallying an assist. Barreno also totaled 16 shots on goal in 1035 minutes of play.
Naomi Gonzales made a name for herself in goal, playing in 10 games this season and starting in nine of them. She recorded a team-high save percentage of .784, making 58 saves on 131 shots faced.
Mia Hirayama played in 18 games, starting in 17 of them. She tallied a goal and assist for the season, recorded 28 shots, and played a critical role in the Cougars' midfield.
Julia Urbanczyk played in all 19 games, starting in 18 of them. A key part of the Cougars' back line, Urbanczyk totaled the second-most minutes on the team with 1328 and registered nine shots on goal.
Statistical Leaders
Goals:
Angelina Barreno,
Grace Chavez (3)
Assists:
Alexa Martinez (3)
Points:
Angelina Barreno (7)
Shots:
Erika Flores (44)
Shots on Goal:
Erika Flores (25)
Saves:
Brooke Sheriff (60)
Season Highlights
What's Next
To stay up to date on all things CUC women's soccer, follow along on X and Instagram @cucwsoc. Coverage for all our sports can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
