Aaron Fenlason dives to make a save at the September 17, 2011 game. Biola tied with Menlo at 1-1. | Tyler Otte/THE CHIMES
Correction: Daniel Chew was originally listed as scoring the winning goal against La Sierra. However, the goal was scored by Dylan Wingrove. The Chimes regrets this error.
Men’s soccer wins one game against La Sierra, ties the other against Menlo
The Biola men’s soccer team improved to 5-1-1 after two matches this week. The Eagles defeated La Sierra University 2-0 in their final match of the road trip on Thursday, Sept. 15. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 17 Biola came home for a match with Menlo College, which ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
In the match against La Sierra, freshman forward Alex Kincade got the scoring started early for the Eagles with a goal in the 17th minute. Fellow forward and senior Marco Ruvalcaba got the assist on the play as he gave Kincade a pass that he easily put into the back of the net.
As the first half came to a close the La Sierra Golden Eagles were delivered a crippling blow when La Sierra senior midfielder Shane Shelton received a red card for a dangerous high kick. Shane Shelton, brother of Biola senior defender Cody Shelton, is one of the Golden Eagles’ leading scorers and La Sierra was forced to play the remainder of the game with only 10 men.
Dylan Wingrove provides much needed offense
The Eagles capitalized on the advantage in the 62nd minute when sophomore Dylan Wingrove gave Biola an insurance goal to push the lead to 2-0.
The San Diego native’s third goal of the year proved to be plenty of support for senior goalkeeper Aaron Fenlason. Fenlason, who was voted Golden State Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week last week, recorded two saves while picking up his second shut out of the year.
Fenlason was full of praise for his defenders in front of him, who have been the reason he hasn’t faced many shots thus far. His save total on the season is 19 which ranks 133rd in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“[The defenders have] been very important and our most vital thing,” Fenlason said. “They have started our attacks and been the key to our success.”
The Eagles come away with the season’s first draw
The second game of the week for the Eagles came against the Menlo College Oaks. Biola got on the board first when a free kick from Ruvalcaba found the back of the net in the 43rd minute. This was the fourth goal of the year for Ruvalcaba who matched his total from last year with the shot. Biola’s leading scorer had seven shots against the Oaks defense as Biola led the shot differential 23-12.
The score stayed 1-0 until the 63rd minute when Menlo evened the match. Senior Matheus Barbosa headed in the equalizer off of a cross from the right side to tie up the match at one apiece.
Both teams fought to get a goal through the rest of regulation with each side having plenty of opportunities to take the lead. The game went through a scoreless first overtime, but early in the second overtime it seemed like Menlo had ended it.
Shelton stops Menlo’s premature celebration
Two minutes into the period the Oaks pressured the ball in front of the Biola net. With Fenlason not in position the ball rolled right towards the vacant Eagle net. The Menlo attacker, believing the ball had crossed the line, ran off pulling his shirt over his face in celebration. Senior defender Cody Shelton came to the rescue and said no to the Oaks’ premature hysterics by sliding in and kicking the ball away.
The rest of the clock ran out with neither team finding the back of the net again.
Biola head coach Bryan Kuderman was extremely disappointed in his team’s play against Menlo.
“This was our worst performance on the year. We looked past Menlo and expected to win without putting in the work. I am really disappointed with my boys and will be redirecting our attitude this coming week,” Kuderman said.
The Eagles have sustained a consistent amount of injuries so far this year, the most notable coming in the game against Menlo with junior defender Ben Ortega leaving the game with an apparent leg injury.
“We have been playing an attacking system this year for the first time in my 10 years as coach. That system may change with the unity we sustained tonight in Ben Ortega,” Kuderman said on the extent of the team’s injuries.
Fenlason continues streak of great play
Fenlason had four saves in the match, notching one in each period continuing the streak of eight straight games with one or less goals allowed, while opposing keeper, junior Alex Palomarez had seven saves.
The Eagles finish up their non-conference schedule Tuesday, Sept. 27 with a match at Dixie State College of Utah. They begin conference play at Concordia University in Irvine on Saturday, Oct. 1.
