Box Score AZUSA, Calif. --- The rivalry for the GSAC title might be over, but it would be hard to tell on Saturday night as 2,623 fans packed the Cougar Soccer Complex to watch the former arch-rivals Azusa Pacific and Biola do battle. However, it was the home side which went home happy as the Eagles lost 2-1. 

Biola (0-1-0) got the early lead in its season-opener, stunning the packed house with a goal just 15 minutes in as senior Tony Montalvo gather a ball in the box and blasted a shot into the back of the net. 

The Eagles held a 5-1 shot advantage to that point and looked to be in control against the Cougars (1-0-1). However, APU slowly came around and eventually took the lead with a goal by Michael Sahagian. The Cougars then took back the lead with a goal just seven minutes later as Carlos Garcia-Partida slid a cross past the keeper to give APU the lead. 

The intensity was turned up in the second half as the Eagles turned up the pressure. Biola managed five shots over the final 45 and controlled much of the possession, but couldn't find the back of the net. The Eagles had a flurry of chances over a three minute span with 15 minutes left in the game as three different Biola players put headers on frame only to see them saved by APU netminder Joe Geletko.

Shots were even in the match at 11-11. Geletko made seven saves while Biola freshman goalkeeper Joshua Crichton made three saves in his Eagle debut. 

Biola returns to action on Wednesday, hosting La Sierra University in its home-opener at 7:00 p.m. on Al Barbour Field.