Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Samantha Verduzco's team-leading sixth goal of the season broke a scoreless tie in a game that seemed destined for overtime. Instead, it turned into a 1-0 victory for No. 14 Biola that has now won back-to-back outings.

"It's good to get a win and good to score a goal after 180 minutes without one," said Head Coach Erin Brunelle. "This weekend was a bit of a grind to get two wins over two opponents that made it very difficult to play the way we wanted to play."
 
Recap:
This game was run by Biola from the opening kick to the final horn. The only aspect of the match that kept the score line close was another outstanding individual effort by the Oaks' keeper Kaylin Swart.
 
Biola got 18 shots compared to just the seven that Menlo was able to muster, but Swart made all the difference by stopping seven of the Eagles' eight that went on goal.
 
Of course, seven of eight was not quite good enough as Marina Rodriguez and the Eagles got the team's sixth shutout of the season and second in as many games.
 
The best chance for Menlo came five minutes into the second half when Allissa Soriano put a great chance on goal that nearly clanked in off the far post, but Rodriguez was able to get her outstretched fingers on it for one of her two saves in the game. The Oaks got two corner kicks in a flurry of chances early in that half, but could make nothing of it.
 
Despite heavy pressure throughout the match Swart was able to keep the Eagles off the board until the 78^th minute. Verduzco took on the defense all by herself to dribble herself into prime position immediately in front of the net where there is just no missing.
 
After the goal Biola focused on its team defense and was able to keep the clean sheet and spare its players from having to go to overtime in the almost-unbearable heat.

"The women did a great job in the second half today to combine better and implement the tactics we've been working on in practice," said Brunelle. "Then, it was a great individual effort by Sam. After that the ladies were able to close out the game together."
 
Top Performers:
Samantha Verduzco scored the only goal of the game in unassisted fashion. She took three shots in the game and all three went on goal, with her second being the one that made all the difference. She was the game-winner while coming off the bench and logging 62 minutes in the match.

What It Means:
Biola improves to 9-1-3 with the victory and inches closer to first place in the Golden State Athletic Conference by improving to 3-0-2 in conference matchups. The Eagles are only behind No. 10 Westmont by one point and sit alone in second place. Menlo falls to 6-3-4 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play.
 
What Comes Next:
Biola heads to Santee, California to play against San Diego Christian on Tuesday afternoon before returning to Al Barbour Field for the senior day on Oct. 17.