Biola’s women’s soccer team continued their streak of dominance this past week, defeating both the Colorado Christian University Cougars and the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers. CCU fell to Biola 4-1 on Sept. 9 and the Eagles earned their third shutout of the season with a 6-0 rout against Antelope Valley on Sept. 13. The Eagles kept their perfect season going, moving to 5-0 overall.

In Dramatic Fashion

The first game of the week kicked off to a relatively quick start, with the first goal coming before 10 minutes had elapsed. Junior defender Brianna Mikalson sent in a cross from the left side of the 18-yard box to the feet of senior forward Taylor Venegas on the far post, who made the easy finish.

In the 37th minute, Biola extended their lead in dramatic fashion. Mikalson again started the play, booting a long cross past the far post, where freshman forward Sarah Jeffries’ header sent it back towards the six-yard box. Junior midfielder Janae Megorden finished the play by volleying the ball into the back of the net to put the Eagles up 2-0.

After halftime, Biola added another goal in the 82nd minute, as sophomore Madyson Brown headed the ball into the goal off a beautiful pass from freshman defender Paula-Marie Labate.

A Perfect Pass

CCU scored a goal in the 87th minute off a poor clearance by freshman goalkeeper Christina Rodriguez to make the score 3-1. The final goal came with only four seconds remaining, as a perfect pass from junior midfielder Ashley Ramirez found the feet of Venegas, then the back of the net, for Venegas’ second goal of the game and third of the season.

The second game of the week proved even better for the Eagles, with six goals, a hat trick for junior forward Samantha Verduzco and a true shutout. Biola’s defense did not allow Antelope Valley to take a single shot or corner kick over the entire game.

The first goal came 17 minutes into the first half, as Ramirez sent a corner kick into the box, where Verduzco headed it into the net. 11 minutes later, Mikalson earned her first goal of the season off an absolute bullet shot from 30 yards out. Verduzco bookended the first half with goals, scoring again in the 32nd minute courtesy of a pass from senior midfielder Mariah Ziemer.

Caught by Surprise

Venegas got in on the action in this game in the 76th minute, scoring courtesy of yet another Ramirez assist. Then Verduzco made the highlight of the night, scoring her third goal in the game in the 86th minute from a Venegas assist. Scoring concluded two minutes later, as senior defender Kayla White stole the ball then took a deep shot that caught the Pioneers’ goalkeeper by surprise.

Verduzco scored the first hat trick for the women’s team since just over a year ago on Sept. 12, 2015. She has six goals on the season, which ties her total for the entire season last year.

Biola heads to Riverside to face California Baptist University for their next match, their final match before Golden State Athletic Conference play begins. The game against Cal Baptist starts at 3 p.m. on Sept. 17.