After playing an entire match and two overtimes without scoring, Biola tied the Westmont College Warriors on Saturday. The Eagles are now 7-4-1 overall and 1-2-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
Multiple attempts made to take the lead
Westmont came out hard and fast from the very beginning. In the ninth minute sophomore goalkeeper Briana Williams made her first save of the night when forward Mallory Mitchel went up against her at close range.
Junior midfielder Amanda Lillicrop attempted to give Biola a lead in the 16th minute but her shot was blocked. Biola had another chance at gaining the advantage when senior midfielder Morgan Aukshunas fired a shot at the goal, but Westmont goalkeeper Lindsey Smith made the save.
Biola had three chances of scoring in the first half but was not able to make the connection in order to get the much-needed advantage over the Warriors.
The Eagles were able to keep the Warriors scoreless as well. Williams made two saves out of the five shots attempted. The half ended with the teams tied at zero.
Intensity builds in the second half
Both teams’ desire to gain the upper hand turned the second half into a more physical game.
“We were expecting them to come out really hard,” Williams said. “We knew they were going to be coming fast and physical like they always are. We knew they would take advantage if we relented or held back at any point.”
Williams refused to let any balls get past her. She made the save in the 46th minute against forward Kaci Mexico and again in the 50th against midfielder Tiffany Dimaculagan.
Midfielder Brooke Liliwhite for Westmont received the first yellowcard of the night in the 59th minute. Senior midfielder Victoria Dalla Zanna took the free shot for Biola but it went wide and Biola was back on the defensive side.
Biola had another free chance to score when midfielder Allison Hensely for Westmont received a yellow card. Junior defender Michelle Clark took the free shot but sent the ball high over the net.
Within the final minutes of the game, Clark attempted to score for the Eagles. Smith saved Clark’s first attempt with only three minutes left and the second attempt was blocked with only three seconds left in regulation.
Biola and Westmont headed into sudden-death overtime scoreless.
Biola struggles to complete the goal
In the first sudden-death overtime Biola attempted to score eight times without completion. Westmont was given only one chance to score but was blocked by the Eagles’ defense.
Biola kept Westmont from scoring in the second sudden-death overtime but failed to make a goal in order to win the match.
Williams played a huge role in keeping the Warriors from scoring by making a total of eight saves throughout the entire match.
The Eagles will take on San Diego Christian College on Oct. 16 at 1 p.m.
