LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The Golden State Athletic Conference announced its men's soccer all-conference squad on Wednesday, and Biola had three of its players honored with All-GSAC recognition.
 
Sava Pantic, Joey O'Keefe and Stephen Tanquary each earned the honor after leading Biola to a 7-5-4 (4-3-3 GSAC) record in the 2014 season.
 
Pantic earned his first career all-conference honor after a fantastic final season with the Eagles. He's spent the last four years on the squad and blossomed into a strong veteran leader in the midfield.
 
Pantic started all 16 matches for Biola this season, logging over 1,100 minutes on the pitch. His talents on the ball are second to none and he is especially keen to win and maintain possession for Biola, making him valuable in the competitive GSAC.
 
"Sava is our veteran leader who uses all of his experience to do all he can to help this team be successful," said Head Coach Todd Elkins. "He is still a student of the game and is constantly reading the game and looking for ways to break down the opposition. He is willing to put the team on his shoulders and inspires his teammates to work hard."
 
Tanquary also earned his first all-conference recognition this season. He was Biola's most potent attacking forward, netting eight goals and five assists in 16 matches this season. His 21 points puts him fourth in the conference, just two points behind the conference leader and Player of the Year, Humphrey Mahowa.
 
This season was a breakout season for Tanquary, who was always considered an attacking threat, but had to wait to see playing time behind Biola's now-graduated attackers.
 
"With the combination of strength, pace and determination, 'Tanq' has become our most dangerous attacker by creating great chances for himself and his teammates," said Elkins. "He has doubled his point total from last season and is determined and eager to add to that total as we move forward in playoffs."
 
Part of what makes Tanquary such a dangerous attacker is his ability to find the goal from nearly anywhere on the field. He has taken 56 shot attempts in 2014, and all but 22 of them have been shots-on-goal.
 
O'Keefe is Biola's lone repeat all-conference winner, adding this year's recognition to last season's honor. This award comes off a season of much maturation for the junior midfielder. He assumed a role as team captain and not only had to step up his game physically, but also serve as an emotional leader of the squad.
 
He did just that, helping Biola with great defense and offensive combination play throughout the year, working his way to five goals and five assists in 1,363 minutes. His 15 points put him second on the team, sandwiching him in between Tanquary and freshman True Tamplin (12).
 
"Joey is an extremely good attacking midfielder who, despite his calm demeanor, happens to be a very significant physical presence in the middle of the field," said Elkins. "He is one of the best in the air, while also using a combination of strength and deception to frustrate 'would-be' defenders and make him difficult to dispossess."
 
The three newest All-GSAC Eagles take the field with their teammates at 2:00 p.m. today. They face Vanguard on the road in the GSAC Tournament First Round. The game can be seen live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/biola/