Overcast weather and bare-chested male Biola enthusiasts set the stage for the first women’s soccer game of the season Saturday night. Scoring two goals against the University of St. Francis of Fort Wayne, Ind., Biola made an impressive entrance into the new season.
The Biola women’s soccer team gained 12 new players; 10 of whom are freshman, making this year’s team the largest since 2006. After a grueling two and a half week training camp, practicing twice a day, every day, the women were fueled up and ready to be unleashed on unsuspecting opponents.
A penalty kick by senior Gillian McPherson in the first half led Biola’s first goal of the night by transfer sophomore Ashleigh Cooley, who was also assisted by freshman Victoria Dalla Zanna. Scoring Biola’s second goal was freshman Allexa Mendoza. Though St. Francis was relentless in its game, the team from Indiana was unable to penetrate Biola’s lead. According to St. Francis’ coach, Christy Young, Biola’s women soccer group played hard and she said the team was “very strong and going to be very successful” in this upcoming season.
The goal of this season is to make playoffs, according to Biola women’s soccer coach Todd Elkins. It has been three years since the team has been to playoffs and so the objective of the next couple of months is to do well and make it through conference play. All matches are important and are held to the same level of vigor, but the biggest opposing threat comes from Biola’s longtime rival, Azusa Pacific University.
“Azusa is the bench team of soccer, they are the benchmark and successful at all their sports,” said Elkins.
A terrific effort in the first half of the game by senior Amy Atkinson, she seemed to lead the team with her swift movements and vigil watch of the ball. “Soccer is such a unique and beautiful sport because you not only use your feet, but 11 players have to learn how to work together on a large playing field,” said Atkinson. “It is a sport that brings people together in a special way.”
“The girls are super warming and supportive,” transfer sophomore Taylor Lundquist said, “I’m really impressed how sincere everyone’s faith has been.” Lundquist played soccer her first year at Seattle Pacific University before transferring as a sophomore to Biola.
“I really like the coach this year,” she said. “He’s really good at teaching things, when I should do a certain kind of pass or movement. There’s always more you can practice and learn.” Lundquist acknowledges that she also learns from the incoming freshman.
“Freshman too, I can learn from them still. It’s good to learn from everyone on the team.”
Working and learning together, Biola’s women soccer team is committed
to having a great season.
