Box Score
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Senior
Zach Bautista made his final home match a special one, scoring twice to lead Biola to a 2-1 upset win over No. 23 Vanguard in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles improve to 10-5-2 on the season and to 5-4-0 in GSAC play, securing the No. 5 seed in the upcoming GSAC Tournament. The loss denies the Lions a chance at winning back-to-back regular season titles and drops them to the No. 4 seed in the tournament with a conference mark of 6-3-0 and an overall record of 12-6-0.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday in the first round of the GSAC tournament in Costa Mesa. Kick-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.
Biola jumped out to an early lead in the contest, scoring a pair of goals seven minutes apart in the first half. In the 33rd minute, Carlos Ballesteros won a battle in the corner and sent a quick flick to Dylan Wingrove. The sophomore carried it a bit through the penalty area then slid a nice pass to Zach Bautista who slid it into the goal.
In the 40th minute, Ballesteros and Bautista teamed up again as Ballesteros sent a great through ball to Bautista who slotted it into the right corner, past the diving keeper to make it 2-0.
Biola seemed to continue to dominate the match into the second half until a questionable penalty kick was called. Vanguard had a free kick from 30 yards out and the kick sailed high and wide of everyone out of play. However, a foul was called on a Biola player in the box which set up the spot kick. Kevin Cornwall shot right while Aaron Fenlason went left and the Lions cut the lead to 2-1.
Vanguard had a number of great chances to tie the match late, but the Biola defense shut them all down. The best chance came in the final 10 seconds a foul on the other side of the half. The free kick came down in the box and Jack Plummer had a clear look at the goal. However, the kick went just high.
The Eagles seemed to dominate the match, outshooting the Lions 20-11 and holding a decisive 10-1 edge in corner kicks.
The two teams will rematch on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the GSAC first round. The other first round matches feature No. 1 Fresno Pacific hosting No. 8 Westmont, No. 2 Azusa Pacific hosting No. 7 Hope International, and No. 3 Concordia facing No. 6 The Master's.
