Failure to score on opportunities doomed Biola their fourth 1-0 loss, this time to the NCAA Division I UC Riverside Highlanders.
Early in the match, the Eagles defense stayed composed under pressure. Within the first 20 minutes UCR took six shots. Biola junior keeper Aaron Fenlason stopped both shots that were on goal. Senior Jacob Ravenscraft got possession and fired a shot that was saved by UCR keeper Nick Goldreich. Possession went back and forth as both teams made attempt after attempt. In the 26th minute senior Phillip Friehe took his first shot, which started his consistent offensive attack. Friehe ended the night with seven of Biola’s 13 shots.
Before halftime UCR made several more attacks on the Eagle’s goal. But the Biola defensive line kept their heads up. Seven seconds after a blocked shot, UCR’s Alex Racca took his. Fenlason met the challenge and made his third save. The Eagles also made several offensive pushes but couldn’t find the net.
The second half started with the same intensity. Again, Ravenscraft was the first Eagle to attack. However, his shot went wide to the left side. Friehe’s third shot came in the 61st minute, just four minutes before UCR’s Cesar Diaz. Diaz was the first to capitalize upon a loose ball opportunity, gaining possession and sending a shot to the back of the Biola net.
Yet, Biola hammered UCR’s goal. Friehe especially helped, with two sets of back-to-back shots. “Phillip turned it on in the second half there and really had a good game,” said Biola head coach Bryan Kuderman. Adding to Friehe’s offensive onslaught were senior Graham Foster and freshman Kevin Kiser—both took one shot each. Still, UCR’s defense and Biola’s inability to make the best of opportunities led to the loss.
“We really played well,” said Kuderman. “I think this was the best performance of the year so far,”
Though the Eagles now have a 1-4-0 record, their performance has been consistent. Every loss has come by one goal. And, since the teams Biola has been playing are in the NCAA Division, the Eagles should perform well in conference.
The Eagles travel to Cal State San Marcos to face the Cougars Saturday afternoon.
