BOX SCORE

IRVINE, Calif. --- Biola scored an early goal on a penalty kick and held on for a 1-1 draw against Concordia University in a key GSAC match on Saturday afternoon in Irvine.

Biola improves to 10-1-1 on the season and extends its undefeated streak to four-straight games. The tie coupled with a loss by The Master's College leaves Biola as the lone undefeated team in conference play with a 5-0-1 record, though the Eagles remain two points behind the Mustangs in the standings thanks to playing one fewer match. Concordia moves to 8-4-1 on the season and to 4-1-1 in GSAC play.

Biola got on the board first thanks to a quick pair of yellow cards to Concordia's Jeff Coulter, the second of which sent him off for the rest of the match and resulted in a penalty kick for Biola. Sophomore Marco Ruvalcaba stepped up and converted the spot kick for his ninth goal of the season and gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.

However, despite playing down a man, Concordia responded late in the first half as Kyle Hollomon found the back of the net to tie the match at 1-1.

In the second half, Biola came out firing, outshooting Concordia 10-2 in the final 45 minutes of regulation. But it was Concordia netminder Mike Radchuk who came up huge, recording five saves including a number of spectacular stops to keep the score tied.

Neither team was able to create much of an opportunity in either overtime period and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Biola goalkeeper Aaron Fenlason needed to make just two saves in the match to preserve the tie while Radchuk recorded eight saves.

Ruvalcaba's goal was his ninth goal of the season and his fifth in as many matches. He has scored more goals already this season since a Biola player has scored since the 2005 season.

Despite the tie, Biola should move up in the NAIA National rankings which the team just entered for the first time since October of 2006. The Eagles have now recorded four points against the two teams ranked directly above them in head-to-head competition, tying Concordia and defeating Azusa Pacific. APU has three points, defeating Concordia 5-2 two weeks ago while Concordia has just one point with today's tie.

Biola returns to action on Tuesday (Oct. 20), hosting Fresno Pacific University in a GSAC match beginning at 7:00 p.m.