LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Cal State San Marcos' Curtis Marcikic curled home a shot from a tough angle in the sixth minute and--despite a furious second half--Biola was unable to find the back of the net, falling 1-0 to the Cougars on Friday night on Al Barbour Field.

The loss was the first of the year for the Eagles, dropping them to 4-1-0 on the season. Cal State San Marcos improved to 8-2-0 with the victory.

Biola's potent offense--which had scored an average of about four goals a game coming in--was shutout by the Cougars' defense which was able to slow down the attack and thwart any semblance of a scoring opportunity in the first half.

Trailing 1-0 at the half, the Eagles came out firing in the second half and managed to put the ball on net with long passing and quick shots. However, it wasn't until the final five minutes that Biola was able to record some quality chances.

With just under five minutes remaining, the Eagles drew a free kick just outside of the box which was put just wide by Biola's J.T. Searles.

Two minutes later a hard tackle by by the Cougars gave another free kick to the Eagles just outside the box. After a scramble in the box, the Cougars' goalkeeper Trent Painter was able to clear the ball from out of harm's way.

During the final 10 seconds of the match, the Eagles were able to mount one final attack and a blast by Ryan Parker snuck past into the Cougars net but it came after the final horn.

Painter faced 15 shots and made two spectacular saves, though his defense was able to block a number of Eagle shots.

In the other net, senior Ryan George faced eight shots and made one save to keep Biola in the match.

Biola opens Golden State Athletic Conference play against arch-rival Azusa Pacific on Wednesday (Sept. 27) with a 3:00 p.m. game at Azusa.