IRVINE, Calif. – Dominican women's tennis fell 5-2 to Concordia University Irvine on Saturday in the final match of its Southern California road trip.

The Golden Eagles (5-1) was able to get the early lead as Jessica Bear and Kimia Rahmani claimed No. 3 doubles 6-2 to open the match while Alyssa Zayat and Alicia Da Re clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 victory in No. 2 doubles. No. 26 Audrey Rafols quickly tied the match for the Penguins (4-4) as she claimed the 6-2, 6-2 victory on the top court over Heather Richards.

Zayat won No. 4 singles 6-2, 6-0 with Tiffany Carrillo claiming a 6-4, 6-2 victory in No. 3 singles for CUI to put it a singles victory from the clinch. Gina Dudley fell behind early to Sophie Rachor, losing the first set 6-3 in No. 2 singles. Dudley though played even with Rachor in the second set as they were tied 6-6 after 12 games. The tiebreaker was just as evenly matched with the athletes trading points but Dudley gain a small advantage late to take the tiebreaker and the set 7-6 (5). Needing a win to keep her team in it, once again Dudley came through in the clutch holding off a late challenge to win 7-5 and get Dominican back within a point.

Bear though claimed No. 5 singles 6-3, 6-1 to clinch a team victory for the Golden Eagles while Da Re held on in the final match of the day 6-4, 3-6, 11-9 in No. 6 singles for the final margin.

Dominican will have a week off before heading to Fresno for a pair of matches versus conference opponents. The Penguins will open play in Fresno against Colorado Mesa on Monday, March 20 at 10 a.m. PDT.