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Zausch celebrates score
George Rodriguez
0
Westcliff WCW (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
4
Winner Biola BIO (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Westcliff WCW
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
0
Final
4
Biola BIO
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Westcliff WCW 0 0 0
Biola BIO 2 2 4

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Ethan McGarvey, Assistant Sports Information Director

We’re Back

Biola Athletics and the BU men’s soccer squad kicked off the 2021 season in style with a 4-0 victory.

LA MIRADA --- Friday night was spectacular, as the BU men's soccer team opened up the 2021-22 season for Biola Athletics. Fans brought the match to life, covering the stands and cheering on the Eagles to their comfortable triumph.

The competition featured a battle between BU and the Westcliff Warriors. The Eagles showed up and dominated with a 4-0 shutout, thanks to two goals from Izaac Zausch and Daniel Simonis. The match was an exhibition, meaning the game does not count towards the team's season record or statistics. 

Friday's contest saw the return of fans to Al Barbour Field, along with the return of Joey O'Keefe to Biola. BU head coach O'Keefe took control of the men's soccer program in early August, after coaching at Westcliff the last two years. In his playing career, O'Keefe represented the Eagles, playing for BU from 2012 to 2016.

"Coming back to Biola as a coach is special," said O'Keefe. "There has been a lot of amazing coaches before me, so the opportunity to do this now is humbling and exciting. An opportunity to win the first game 4-0, we couldn't imagine the season starting a better way."

Biola was aggressive from the opening kick, dominating the possession and consistently pressuring the Warrior defense. Midfielders Theo Le Calve and Clement Michelet were excellent at keeping the ball at BU's feet, forcing turnovers and delivering pin-point passes.

A strong attack found its payoff in the 20th minute, as Zausch and Lawrence Kwazema joined forces to tally goal number one for BU. A Biola throw-in set up the score with Kwazema tossing the ball from the sideline into the box for Zausch to head home.

The Warriors and Eagles continued to fight with the mere one-goal differential. An overly aggressive defense hurt Westcliff, as a Warrior picked up a second yellow card in the 42nd minute, causing the visitors to play a man down for the rest of the match. The ensuing free kick came from Le Calve, as he placed a left-footed pass into the box in the perfect spot for another Zausch heading goal.

The second half brought more scoring for BU, as the Eagles remained relentless. A throw-in in the attacking third resulted in the third goal for Biola. Kwazema threw the ball in once again before the ball glanced off the head of Zausch and to the waiting Daniel Simonis, who punched it in for the 3-0 lead.

The onslaught continued with another score from Simonis in the 62nd minute. The BU newcomer received a throw-in from freshman Kirk Wilson and used his right foot to send the ball to the back of the net.

Luis Rodriguez and JD Gunn shared goalkeeping duties to help Biola to a clean sheet in the win. 

O'Keefe added, "I think it all starts with the guys. It is an amazing group of guys. My job and our job as a coaching staff is to lead them and push them in ways they did not think they could be pushed to be better versions of themselves."

Six student athletes saw their first action in an Eagles uniform, including Michelet, Le Calve, Onesimus Bonat, Israel Ortiz, Simonis and Wilson.

The Eagles will be back in action on Monday with another exhibition at 7:00 pm in a matchup against The Master's.
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