SAN FRANCISCO --- It was only a matter of time before the Eagles pressure broke through for a multiple goals on Thursday. Biola applied immense pressure on the Academy of Art Urban Knights with 23 shots and 13 cornerkicks to win, 3-0.

The shutout is the Eagles' first PacWest road win on the year and elevates them to a 7-3-2 record in conference play (11-3-2 overall).

"It was a pretty exhilarating ending to a long game," said Head Coach Erin Brunelle. "The ladies played really well, attacking for the majority of the match and creating numerous opportunities in the first half." 

Biola took charge of the match from the very outset and hardly allowed the home team any opening to make things close. The Eagles' defensive effort prevented Academy of Art from taking any shots-on-goal during the shutout and did not surrender any cornerkicks.

In contrast, Biola's constant runs toward the 18-yard box manufactured nine cornerkicks during the first half. The Eagles went into the 15-minute break without a lead but did build up to some dangerous opportunities that paid dividends later. Annmarie Alvarez created the best of those chances in the 18th minute when she took a cross from the left side and hit the post from inside the keeper's box.

Then Alvarez found more success in the second half, capitalizing on a softly struck goal-kick to loop the ball over the keeper for her second goal of the season in the 49th minute.

For the next 40 minutes, it seemed like Biola was just going to make that goal stand because the Eagles could depend on the backline to win one-on-one challenges. But then seniors Ashley Ramirez and Samantha Verduzco broke the match open with a goal each in the final 90 seconds.

"I thought Danielle Lord and Jessica Penner did a great job stepping in for unavailable players," said Brunelle. "Ashley Ramirez had a tremendous second half and had a statement goal for herself and then a great assist to Sam."

Ramirez scored in the 89th minute by being in the right place at the right time when Verduzco sent the ball to the top of the 18-yard box. After one touch, Ramirez rifled a shot past the AAU keeper to score her first goal of the season and put the Eagles up two. Then Verduzco got a goal of her own a few moments later when a Janae Megorden pass set the forward up from a breakaway strike with 30 seconds left.

The Eagles have a recovery day tomorrow before they take on the Holy Names Hawks at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.