PARIS --- Joel Shungu has not been shy about pursuing his aspirations for soccer and for living life to the fullest. 

He's stayed committed to his journey as his dreams have taken him from Paris to Texas to Oregon and now to California. And he's stayed strong through difficulties like injuries and being away from family. 

Shungu will keep his goals for entrepreneurial ventures and/or a career in some aspect of professional soccer as he transfers from Oregon State to Biola. But he's very thankful that his journey will now be supported university community that will care for his heart and soul as he joins Head Coach Torrey Stricklin's program:

"I chose Biola because of the environment that has been created there. Having the opportunity to get an education and play the sport I love while having the chance to be surrounded with people who can help me grow in my spiritual life... You cannot ask for better!"  said Shungu. "Also living away from my family who live in France can be really tough as a young man, so I'm looking forward to the family environment at Biola."
 
Shungu originally immigrated to Texas while he was in high school and attended Hill Junior College for two years. He had a very successful stint as a forward at Hill, appearing in 18 matches with eight starts and three goals as a freshman to help his team to the NJCAA DI playoffs. Then he started every match he appeared in as a sophomore and scored four game-winners among his six total goals. 
 
The Mansfield Legacy High-graduate had a particularly special stretch at the start of that 2017 season, scoring four goals over the first five matches with three game-winners. That led Shungu to All-Region Honorable Mention honors and several Region V Men's Soccer Player of the Week honors that year as he helped Hill to another winning record. 
 
Injury prevented him from building on that strong season when he moved onto Oregon State. But Head Coach Torrey Stricklin believes Shungu can be a key contributor this coming season:
 
"Joel is an exciting attacking player whose qualities fit our system well," said Coach Stricklin. "Along with his qualities as a player he is a tremendous person and leader. He is a very enthusiastic person and I am really looking forward to him joining our team this fall."

Back in France, Shungu's parents have led a church in the Paris suburb of Choisy-le-Roi since he was a young child. He played drums at the church and has also sang in the church choir since he was seven. 

Joel Shungu will enter Biola as a sociology major and will join an Eagles team that is looking to build on three-straight winning seasons since joining the PacWest. More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join him at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.