OWERRI, Nigeria --- If you watched Lawrence Kwazema's highlights from Northern Illinois University you would see a center back with great composure for his position: strong and fast enough to chase down attackers when he needs to, but also controlled and precise in his tackles and passes upfield. 

Simply put, Kwazema is the type of defender that brings a reassuring presence to his team, and Head Coach Torrey Stricklin is eager to see the good Kwazema will do in a Biola kit when he joins the Eagles for the upcoming 2020 season. 

"Lawrence is an exciting addition to our program. His passion for the game of soccer and pure joy for life are contagious," said Stricklin. "I am looking forward to the positive impact he will have on our program. He had a lot of options to finish his college career at some top programs in the country, so I am thrilled he decided to join us here at Biola." 

An alumni of The International School of Minnesota, Kwazema was named to the Academic All-MAC team in 2018 and played in 32 matches over two seasons of competition with the NIU Huskies. The defender played many of those matches on artificial turf since NIU had that surface at their home pitch, so he will be very familiar with the demands of playing at Al Barbour Field as he moves to Southern California. 

He's also proven that he's capable of being a staple on the backline if that was the team needs from him. Kwazema logged 1,380 minutes in 2018 and played every second of 12-straight matches for the Huskies from September 7 to November 3. 

That year included 14 starts for the defender as he helped his team to four clean sheets. 

Kwazema plans to major in communications and philosophy at Biola and hopes to coach and own his own business in the future. In the meantime, he's grateful to be part of an Eagles team that is motivated to win and to join a community that supports his development away from the pitch.

"I'm excited to be part of Biola University since it is a place that can prepare me spiritually, physically and mentally for the next part of my life," said Kwazema. 

Lawrence Kwazema 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.