Northwest is a perennial powerhouse in the CCC, winning at least six conference matches in each of the last four seasons. The 2016 team reached the national field in large part due to its ability to win in tough conditions: playing its entire non-conference schedule on the road and going to six different states to play matches over the course of the season. Northwest comes into the match on Saturday with an impressive 8-4-1 mark away from its home field in Kirkland, Wash.
 
Biola has also proven to be an exceptional team with the share of tests it has faced this season. With victories against top-10 teams both at home and on the road and record splits that are just outstanding, the home team is confirmed in its ability to dominate play at Al Barbour Field and deliver in matches when the pressure is on.
 
In particular, Northwest will have to deal with a side that has a legitimate case for being the best defensive team in the country, and not just because both of Biola's center backs were given all-conference honors.
 
Only seven goals have been scored by Biola opponents in 18 matches, and the Eagles from La Mirada have yet to play a match in which their opponents have scored multiple goals. That is a step up from last season, in which a very well respected Biola defense allowed 19 goals in 18 matches.
 
Moreover, Biola has shown that is more than capable of stopping some of the best scoring teams in the country; three of its 11 shutouts on the season have come against Westmont and Vanguard, teams that have scored 72 goals and 45 goals, respectively.
 
Although Northwest does not hand in the same resume against ranked opponents (0-2-1 versus teams receiving votes), it will look to an alternative source of confidence in its postseason success during the recent CCC tournament. Saturday's visiting team won two matches just to get to the CCC finals and proved it could win by any means necessary to advance.
 
Northwest won a scoring duel with Eastern Oregon 3-2 on Nov. 4 and then turned around to beat Southern Oregon in a 1-0 defensive struggle the very next day in the semifinals.
 
Biola will have to pay particular attention to Northwest's Rylee Rassier, since the freshman forward has a nose for scoring postseason goals with tallies in each of the aforementioned contests. Rassier will be joined at the top of Northwest's formation by sophomore Jubilee Zevenbergen, who has scored nine of her team's 36 goals this season.
 
In contrast, Biola has 51 goals on the season with six women who have scored four goals or more. Northwest has three women who have reached that mark.
 
The opening whistle for Saturday's match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Information on tickets, parking and more can be found here. Biola students, faculty and staff will be admitted free of charge.