The men’s soccer team scored four goals against non-conference opponent UC Santa Cruz last weekend, a route which gave the team its second win of the season. Additionally the women’s soccer team put up a 2-2 tie against CSU East Bay about two weeks ago to begin their season.
It was an impressive start for men’s soccer as they hit the road to challenge non-conference opponent, CSU East Bay.
Men’s soccer began their season by defeating CSU East Bay by a score of 5-0. The men tallied five impressive goals by five different players. Four goals came at the end of halftime and the final came by junior Philip Friehe. East Bay made only eight shot attempts against the Eagles’ tough defensecapping an excellent start for the men’s soccer team.
They continued their success last Saturday, beating UC Santa Cruz at their home field. The Eagles did not allow any points from their non-conference opponent to flicker on the scoreboard, and they finished the day by scoring four goals.
Notably, Eagles junior Kennedy Chongo scored two of his team’s four goals and received an assist on the first goal of the game. Chongo’s second goal was an unassisted shot about 15 yards from the opponents net. He definitely is a key returnee for the Eagles and will help them in their quest to reach the playoffs.
“A lot of people are back from last year so [expectations] are pretty high and really there is no limit; we feel we are the top competitor,” senior Shalom Bako said.
Bako is a fierce athlete and key senior for the Eagles. He continues to work hard as a reliable player and as a great representative for Biola.
“During my last four years at Biola, I have learned more and more to be an athlete for Christ,” he said.
The Eagles will open up their next four non-conference games at home. Last year they did better at home, wining five of their eight games, but time will tell if this proves to be an advantage for them this year.
The team has four seniors, six juniors, and eight sophomores. It is evident that team unity will play a huge role in winning games. The men also have five freshmen by the names of Bryan Dunckel, Colby Roberts, Kevin Luangrath, Ben Ortega, and Aaron Engel. The men’s soccer team continues to work harder each day, and this season fans can expect to see a stronger team.
“The goal is to bring back a championship for Biola,” said Bako.
The team’s next match up will be this Friday at Biola versus a non-conference team, Trinity International.
The women’s soccer team match-up against East Bay, a NCAA Division II school, was anear-victory. By halftime, they had scored two goals. However, their efforts were matched by two goals by the opposition that tied up the game approximately eight minutes before the end of regulation time.
Both teams headed into overtime but both failed to score in the final 20 minutes of the game. A noteworthy performance was turned in by Eagles’ sophomore goalkeeper Erin Frushon, who made eight saves in 110 minutes.
The Eagles are fortunate to have a schedule that places a total of nine games at home compared to seven last year, while six of these nine games will be against GSAC opponents.
Last year the Eagles brought in a new head coach by the name of Todd Elkins, and consequently concluded their GSAC schedule with one win, six losses, and three ties.
The team goals this season are quite simple: “Get more wins then losses and make it to post season play,” said Kahlie Reinecke.
She hopes to capture an All-American honor even though hamstring injuries have bothered her during the past.
“I have learn patience and how to serve the team through my injuries,“ Reinecke said.
Reinecke is no stranger to excellence. Last year, she was named as a member of the All-Golden State Athletic Conference squad. She continues to push forward with an attitude of high expectations not just for herself but for the team.
The Eagles have seven seniors, eight juniors, and two sophomores, and just like many collegiate teams, their rate of success can be contributed to the athletes desire to become more like a team. They have gained four freshmen: Natalie Oliver, Erica Crawford, Danyelle Heidt, and Emily MacLaren. Also, sophomore Brittany Barr is a new player that will help contribute to more wins for the soccer team.
They continue to play for an opportunity to gain their first win at home on September 9th versus Academy of Art.
