LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Even though the Eagles had to face an unfamiliar playing schedule and analyze their opponents on the fly during their first year in the PacWest, a few core things stayed the same for Head Coach Erin Brunelle's team. Biola remained a team that fought for possession and emphasized strong defense. And most significantly, the Eagles maintained the work ethic that sustains the success it has enjoyed since Brunelle took the reigns in 2015.

Biola finished its conference schedule in fourth place, two spots better than where the PacWest preseason poll had predicted them to finish. The team went undefeated in regular season matches at home for the second-consecutive season and surpassed 10 regular-season wins for the fourth year in a row.

As a result, three members of Biola's 12-3-2 women's soccer team were named All-PacWest selections on Wednesday.

Madyson Brown and Colie Martin were recognized as all-conference defenders after each earned PacWest Defender of the Week during the regular season. And senior forward Samantha Verduzco was also included among the honorees after leading the Eagles in goals (six) and assists (seven) en route to Biola's 8-3-2 record in conference play.

Brown was named to the All-PacWest second team and collects the third all-conference honor of her career. The junior centerback contributed to five of the Eagles' clean sheets during conference play and scored the game-winner in their final PacWest victory over Holy Names University. She has played every minute of the 15 matches she has appeared in and was named PacWest Defender of the Week on Sept. 11.

"Maddy has consistently been a driving force in our backline and it's no surprise that she impressed the conference with her play this season," said Brunelle. "We had a bit of a wake-up call a few games into conference play when we were consistently taking on 15+ shots per game, even if a low percentage were on target. So We challenged our whole team, and especially our backline, to start to minimize shots taken by the other team.  Maddy & Cat Newberry really stepped up to lead the charge from the back to help us stay organized and get numbers behind the ball."

Colie Martin was also a staple on Biola's backline this season, earning her first all-conference honor after stepping up to play a left back position with which she was initially unfamiliar. The sophomore from Carlsbad, California was in the starting 11 for all of Biola's matches this season and quickly demonstrated that she is a legitimate threat on offense with her speed down the sideline. Martin was named PacWest Defender of the Week on Oct. 16.

"Colie has improved every single game and practice and I'm so proud of her willingness to learn and grow," said Brunelle. She joins great company with former defenders Kayla White and Morgan [Gage] Aukshunas as tough left defenders to beat one-v-one. But more importantly, [she's] a dangerous attacking outside back who puts the opposition on their heels. Colie is such a positive, lovable, goofy woman, and has been a joy to coach these past two years; she brings fierce competitiveness and drive on the field, but is joyful and carefree off of the field."

This is the first time the PacWest has honored Verduzco, who previously earned all-conference recognition from the GSAC in 2015 and 2016. The senior forward has posted better stats this season than any campaign before, achieving career-highs in assists (seven), points (19) and shots-on-goal (21). She scored or assisted goals in each of the Eagles' last four matches in conference play while scoring three times in total against PacWest opponents.

"Over her career, Sam has definitely benefitted from the tremendous play of others around her and her partnership with Sarah Jeffries this season has made our offense consistently strong," said Brunelle. "When Sam has the desire to work, she is very difficult for her teammates and the opposition to slow down. Ssm finds a way to set up or finish goals and we definitely wouldn't have been as successful as we were if she wasn't on the field."

This season the Eagles qualified for national postseason play for the third time under Brunelle. They will host the NCCAA West Regional match against Ottawa (Ariz.) on Saturday. Kickoff is schedule for 2:00 p.m. Fans will be asked to bring canned food for admission and the first 300 Biola students have the opportunity to receive a free Biola spirit scarf when they show their Biola ID.