Box Score
La Mirada, Calif. --- Just hours after making it into the NAIA top-25 Coaches' Poll for the first time this season, No. 25 Biola proved its prowess by beating No. 8 Westmont 1-0 in a physical wire-to-wire contest that more than lived up to the hype coming in.
 
In front of a full and electric Biola crowd, Westmont came out strong and playing very well, eager to reassert themselves after falling to No. 9 The Master's College in their last match. The 5-0 loss in that game was the Warriors worst since 2007.
 
"We had to defend as best as we could because there were times where Westmont was moving the ball really well and really quickly," said Head Coach Todd Elkins.  "It was really about could we survive those moments in the game, and then create some of our own."
 
Westmont controlled the ball for most of the first half, connecting on short, accurate passes to transition into the final third and keep the high-powered Biola counterattack at bay. In the first half, Westmont's possession danced around the Eagles, generating seven shots to the Eagles four, but could not get the Warriors a real, clear shot at goal. Throughout the game, both squads struggled to connect on long and medium-range passes against the athletic back lines of the other team.
 
A physical first half, with as many complaints for fouls as there were shots, came to a close with no scores and the defenses still the standout units of each squad. The second half then started the same as the first with Westmont in control, working the ball around and moving it precisely forward.
 
"It was weathering those two big storms in the early parts of both halves, and then as they started to slow down a little bit we were able to catch our breath and combine and attack," said Elkins. "We had a couple of moments prior to the goal that were good chances. We got fouled on a decent counterattack and created a couple chances after that. Those chances encouraged us, like 'hey, we can do this. We can create some chances of our own.'"
 
Biola would create that chance in the exact formula that got the squad ranked. Taylor Venegas took control of the ball and sped past the Warriors defense, and created a clean look to fire a cross to the far post. Sprinting unmarked to the far post and the incoming cross was Margaret Guadarrama, who one-touched it past the diving goalie to score what would be the decider in one of the biggest wins in Biola women's soccer history.
 
"She [Venegas] has just been building from early on in training camp and the season. She has, I think, found her game this season," said Elkins. "There is no doubt in her play. She has thick skin when critiquing herself in that when she makes a mistake she is already on to the next play, transitioning and helping us defensively. There are lots of times where she helps us win the ball back because of her tenacity and pace chasing down the ball. And then, in the attack, whether it's putting it in herself or finding her teammates, she is starting to be more well-rounded than just a streaky player. She's been super important to our attack and transition."
 
However, Venegas' assist for Guadarrama's score, her third of the season, came with a long, long 25 minutes left to play. Westmont would still generate four shots and two corners in an intense close to the titanic matchup. To preserve one of the signature wins for the program, it relied on one of its signature players, senior goalkeeper Briana Williams. She reeled in two saves, out of her five total, down the stretch and intercepted a critical corner cross with just fifteen minutes to go.
 
"It was a good performance from Briana, a lot of positioning from her to be able to stop shots on goal," said Elkins.
 
The win over Westmont is just the fourth win in the 22 years and the 32 matches Biola has matched up against them. It is, however, the third win since Westmont alum Todd Elkins took over Biola's program. Tonight's match moves him to 3-1-1 against his old school in their last five matchups. The win also keeps Biola's GSAC record clean (3-0) and moves them to 9-1 on the season, in sole possession of first place in the conference.
 
"In general program history, I can count the number of times Biola women's soccer has beaten Westmont on one hand. So, it's pretty big In the right here and now, this is the best team we've played, bar none. It's a huge game for us confidence-wise to get through this game and to beat this team," said Elkins.
 
The Eagles return to Al Barbour Field on Saturday to host William Jessup (5-4) at 4:30 p.m.