LA MIRADA, Calif. --- It takes developed maturity and confidence to embrace change the way Biola Men's Soccer did when the Eagles returned to training. 

First year Head Coach Torrey Stricklin's leadership caused his roster to embrace the requirements for things like wearing masks at practice and distancing, opportunities for the Eagles to exercise resilience and grow stronger mentally. And presence of experienced newcomers on the roster helped the entire team see that the coaching staff's high expectations were really signs that the staff respected the capabilities of student-athletes on a collegiate soccer team. 

"The six transfers that I signed before the start of the fall semester have been an important part of the culture change that we are in the process of going through right now," said Coach Stricklin. "Each of them has brought in a lot of experience of having played major minutes at a high level. But more importantly than that they brought in the exact type of mentality that I am looking for on and off the field. Their consistency during training, strength and conditioning workouts and team meetings has set a new standard for what is expected moving forward. 
 
"However, what has allowed them to have this type of impact in such a short amount of time is due to the fact that they are high quality people that want to help take this program to the next level. They have come in and invested in the entire group right away and the returning players have been fantastic in welcoming these guys into the family."
 
That emphasis on collective strength and hard work were two of Biola Men's Soccer's most apparent characteristics during their training segment this past fall. The program's choice of evening practices made for some impressive sights amid COVID-19 restrictions, with the entire team spread at sufficient distance along the full length of the Al Barbour Field sideline to warmup and complete drills. And somehow the coaching staff was still able to shout instructions loud enough for the entire group to hear, even while the coaches kept their face masks in place. 
 
"For my first semester as a Biola athlete, I have really enjoyed becoming closer with my teammates during this unique time season. I love them so much already and I feel I am building life-long friendships with them," said freshman Samuel Vandegrift. "It has been very unique. Practicing with a mask was not very fun, but I have gotten much more used to it. My coaches have been very serious with the procedures and following them and I appreciate that a lot."
 
Having a group of newcomers that brought added skill and expectation to the roster also served as another indication of positive changes for the program. The pace and conviction demonstrated during training went to another level as a result of Stricklin's resolve. And to the entire roster's credit, everyone did their part to quickly bring unity and cohesion to a team that had a total of 11 new additions. 
 
"So far, the newcomers Coach Stricklin has brought in are extremely talented players that are hungry to work hard," said senior forward and captain Jack MacDonald. "I have enjoyed hanging out with them off the field and they are a great fit for this program. They especially bring really good experience and maturity, which has had a big impact on the team dynamic."
 
Former PacWest Goalkeeper of the Year Luis Rodriguez echoed his fellow captain's sentiments and is excited about the mindset this 2020-21 team is building. 
 
"The new transfers have been able to contribute a lot to the team early on. They bring a lot of experience at needed positions and they have been able to help push other guys on the field," said Rodriguez. "Off the field, they have been able to get along well with the guys and start building genuine relationships. They have a winning mentality and it is refreshing to go out and train with guys that I know will give it their all, and at a good level, every single day."
 
It is very apparent that this team caught onto and embraced a vision for the program that provides the foundation for everything, from accountability for the student-athletes to train hard to the Eagles' determination to remain steadfast through the challenges they faced. The coaching staff has a word for this vision and it has become a rallying cry for the student-athletes: Ubuntu, a Nguni Bantu word that has deep significance for the team. 
 
"It all really goes back to our team motto of Ubuntu. Ubuntu is not just a word to us; it is a way of life. We work intentionally every day to live out and be Ubuntu," said Coach Stricklin. "Ubuntu means 'I am because we are.' It is not about me. It is not about you. It is about us. Together as one. I cannot be all I can be unless you are all you can be. 
 
"As much as these newcomers have positively impacted our program, this is not about them, me or any one player or group of players. We are a team on and off the field and it takes each person showing up every single day understanding their role, mastering their role and doing everything possible to make the team better because of their presence."
 
Biola Men's Soccer certainly did everything it could to make the most of the training time they were afforded during the fall semester. Nothing, not challenges nor the unfamiliarity of new practice conditions, would deter the Eagles from being ready to win as soon as there was another team on the other end of the sideline. 
 
And the momentum is still building. Coach Stricklin has already signed seven student-athletes in this recruiting cycle and will bring in three of those signees this coming spring: Aidan Hill, Ruben NeuBauer and Brandon Santel. This is a team that has come together as one, that has embraced grit and expectations of success. It will be quite the sight to see when that momentum is finally unleashed.