Biola Eagles’ men’s soccer (0-4-1) lost a closely contested match vs. the #8 Chico State Wildcats  (4-0) in Thursday’s preseason match. 

To start the action of the first half, Biola’s junior defender Luke Quinn had a look at the goal and aimed for the middle of the net but was saved by junior goalkeeper Emanuel Padilla. Quinn was quickly substituted for freshman Jeremy Larson. Larson ended the game with a valuable fifteen minutes and was in the game for five until Quinn replaced him again.

In the first half, Biola and Chico State put up the same amount of shots with six apiece. Throughout much of the first half, both teams were aiming for the goal without much required of their goalies. However, Padilla recorded a save. Soon after, Gijs van Schouen, goalkeeper for Biola, did the same. The first half ended with Chico State defender Justin Ricketts finding the net for the second time this season, putting his team up 1-0 heading into the break.

The second half started with corner kicks for both teams. Biola junior Andrew Darke got a look at the goal but Padilla would save it as he would finish the game with six saves. Preston Moll tried to put his team up 2-0 minutes after this but van Schouten prevented it with his second save of the game. 

The game remained at a standstill as both teams were aggressive in getting shots down the field but the score stayed the same — 1-0 in favor of Chico State. Biola got a significant chance to tie the game when they were given a penalty kick in the 88th minute. Sophomore Caleb Castaño took the shot to tie the game. However, Padilla came up with the save and practically sealed the victory for the Wildcats.