BOX SCORE

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The Biola University men's soccer team scored a pair of early goals and held off a feisty Saint Martin's University squad to win its season opener 2-0 Friday night at Al Barbour Field in La Mirada.

The Eagles (1-0-0 overall) received goals from senior Ryan Parker and from newcomer Humberto Toscan as they improve to 5-0-1 in season openers under Head Coach Bryan Kuderman.

Saint Martin's, a first-year program from Washington State, dropped to 0-2-0 on the season.

Parker got things going early, beating a pair of defenders then the Saints' goalkeeper with a blast to the far post in the ninth minute. Parker, who scored just one goal in 2006, recorded four shots on the night in 73 minutes.

Biola's second goal came just 13 minutes later as Humberto Toscan headed the ball into the back of the net off a free kick from senior Colin Kilpatrick.

Despite the two early goals, Saint Martin's put up a fight and created a number of strong opportunities. However, another newcomer, freshman Tyler Higgins played strong in net, making five saves and facing 14 shots to earn a shutout in his first collegiate match.

The Eagles managed to put continued pressure on the Saints in the second half, but goalkeeper Zac Lubin made seven saves including four amazing stops to keep them in the match. Lubin came in to start the second period, replacing T.J. Young who allowed two goals on as many shots.

Biola out shot the Saints by a 19-14 count and put 10 shots on frame compared to just five by Saint Martin's.

The Eagles improve 28-16-4 in home openers and are now 23-19-6 overall in season openers.

Biola begins its annual trek to Utah to play in the Westminster College (Utah) Tournament beginning Friday (Aug. 31). The Eagles will face Albertson College on Friday (Aug. 31), Westminster on Saturday (Sept. 1) and Olivet Nazarene University on Monday (Sept. 3).