Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Following an emotional pregame Senior Night ceremony Biola Men's Soccer got refocused, ready to work and went out an defeated a solid San Diego Christian side by a 2-0 score line.
 
The win was a big one for Head Coach Todd Elkins' crew as it secured a postseason berth for the team and helped avenge the Eagles' most disappointing loss of the season, which was 1-0 in overtime two weeks ago at San Diego Christian.
 
"I feel good about this win. Today for us was trying to extend our season," said Head Coach Todd Elkins. "With this being senior night you really want it to be a special time for them. It can still be special even if you tie or lose, but not for this team. Not with what they're trying to accomplish. They needed a win"
 
It was the Eagles' first time back at the friendly confines of Al Barbour Field in three weeks. It was also the final regular season home match of the 2016 season, which is the reason for the celebration of seniors Devin Leon, Thomas Samayoa, Daniel Martinez, True Tamplin and Leonardo Contreras.
 
The victory helped Biola improve to 7-2 at home this season and gives the Eagles 31 home victories since this senior class' freshman year.
 
The goal scoring opened in the 35^th minute when sophomore Kousei Mattox converted a penalty kick opportunity earned by some physical work in the box by Contreras. It is the Eagles' second game in a row with a PK goal and second time in a row that Contreras earned a PK and gave a teammate an opportunity to shoot.
 
The goal was Mattox's first of the season and the first penalty kick attempt and goal of his two-year career.
 
"Lately, we've been more active on the attack. We've gotten into the attacking third more than any other time this season," said Elkins. "It was good to see tonight that we were getting into dangerous areas. When the other team was blocking our services or blocking our shots we were at least getting corner kicks, a penalty kick and taking advantage of other opportunities."
 
That eager offensive approach was clearly noticeable as the Eagles had seven shot opportunities compared to just one for San Diego Christian in the 35 minutes leading up to the PK attempt.
 
With a lead in tow the offense took their foot off the gas just a bit to conserve energy over the final 10 minutes of the first half. The Hawks saw this as an opportunity to counter the goal and took a flurry of four shots as the half began to wind down. The staunch Biola defense would not allow them to get any good looks at the back of the net though as none of the four shots needed a save.
 
"Our defense has been solid all year, so I think the team took it upon themselves to do more offensively. To be more dangerous, to take more chances and to take some of the load off the defense so we don't have to rely on them to win the games for us," said Elkins.
 
Coming out of the halftime break the game neutralized a bit more with both teams getting a fair amount of time with the ball in their offensive third (mostly off of counter-attacks).
 
The Eagles' best chance to double their lead came in the 65^th minute as Jarrett Pugh caught the keeper out of position and blasted one from a great spot directly left to the penalty spot. A San Diego Christian defender managed to make his way in front of the cage and came up with a desperate team save to keep the ball out of the net.
 
After that the Biola attackers began to ramp up the pressure again. The team had three good looks at goal in the seven minutes between the 73^rd and 79^th and then finally found a goal in minute 81.
 
Clayton Mohler scored the second goal of his three-year career as he bent a corner kick from the far side of the field into the top right corner of the net. The goal was in question for just a heartbeat as it just briefly crossed over the goal line and it took a good five seconds for the center referee to signal a goal before the junior got credit for his handiwork.
 
After that Igor Puglia and the Eagles' back line fell into rhythm and kept the Hawks off the board through the final nine minutes to lift Biola to its 10^th win of the season. Puglia ended with four saves in what was his, and the Eagles', ninth shutout of the year.
 
"The team definitely thinks all of the disappointing losses are behind them and they've done well to really work hard to put into practice all the lessons they've learned this year," said Elkins. "We've learned that we need to have more ways to win games than just one or two. The last two wins are, I think, a testimony to that."
 
Biola improves to 10-4 (5-3 GSAC) while the Hawks fall to 7-9 (2-6 GSAC). Biola currently sits fifth in the conference standings with 15 total points. They are four points back from the leaders, Westmont (6-2-1), and just two points back from second place Hope International (5-1-2).
 
The Eagles hit the road for the final two matches of the regular season. Next Thursday they play at No. 20 Menlo and next Saturday they cap the year with a match at William Jessup.