Box Score
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Men's Soccer reached the four-goal mark just twice all of 2014 while averaging fewer than two goals-per-contest. The Eagles hit four goals in the first match of the year in tonight's exhilarating 4-0 victory over Northwest (Wash.).
 
Biola controlled the game from the get-go, with just a little help from a Northwest defender that is. After having one shot blocked already Leonardo Contreras had another chance just over six minutes into the game. A long pass came in from Clayton Mohler, but before Contreras could do anything with it, it ricocheted off the defender and was redirected into the back of the net to start the game with an own goal.
 
"We came out really strong tonight and got a good start to the game, which was really important," said Head Coach Todd Elkins. "Getting the first goal was big, because it was great getting on the board in the first counting game. We were trying to put them under and go at them as early as we can."
 
After watching a ball into the back of the net, Contreras got to work looking to setup his teammates. Just about a minute after the own goal Contreras found a streaking Devin Leon who headed the goal past Northwest's keeper to extend the lead to two goals.
 
That pair had a huge impact on the pace and consistency of the Eagles' offense throughout the night, showing their skills in the offensive third in their first ever game for Biola.

Relentless offensive attack was the tone that was set from start to finish by Elkins' squad. The team fired 29 shots with 14 of them going on goal. In 2014 Biola Men's Soccer averaged 14 shots-per-game. The new additions and very strong transition play from defense to offense led to a much wider and varied attack that resulted in the big win.
 
"I'm just really thankful, grateful and excited that this day has finally come," said Elkins. "It's been a long time coming for those of those players in order to get them on the field."
 
The score held steady at the half as Biola clenched to a 2-0 lead that never seemed in doubt thanks to the tremendous efforts of Biola's back line to neutralize any Northwest attack. The back four only allowed one shot-on-goal in the first 45 minutes, which was easily handled by senior JT Addington.
 
Biola was looking to keep us the fast-paced attack coming out of the locker room, and it did just that. The home team managed four shots and a corner kick within the first seven minutes of the half to keep the pressure all the way up on the visiting Eagles.
 
Sometimes the Eagles' offense was even going too fast for its own good. Biola was called for players offside eight times on the night, including one that called back a would-be goal late in the first half.
 
Just two minutes after the fourth attempt from Biola, Northwest finally had another shot-on-goal. This one was handled masterfully by Addington, who leapt straight up and tipped the ball over the crossbar. While he only had three saves, every one of them was acrobatic and impressive during his first win and clean sheet of the season.
 
"It was a good job by our back line and our keeper in keeping that shutout," said Elkins.
 
Biola's two goals in the second half also came in rapid succession. Joey O'Keefe, the captain and unquestioned leader of this team, knocked in the third goal of the game after picking up the rebound of his own shot and burying into the back right corner of the net.
 
Contreras, who was a threat to score all night long, finally got credit for hitting paydirt in the 61^st minute. He took in a pass from O'Keefe and outsprinted his defender before chipping the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper, making his first goal as an Eagle an absolute masterpiece.
 
Biola improves to 1-0 with the season-opening victory, making it three years in a row with a perfect start. Northwest falls to 0-1 with the loss and continues its Southern California trip against No. 8 Vanguard.
 
Interesting to note, now that Biola is 1-0 the Golden State Athletic Conference Men's Soccer teams are now 8-0-1 on the year.
 
Up next for BU is Saturday's road match against Antelope Valley at 3:00 p.m.