Box Score LA MIRADA, Calif. — Conference play began in gut-wrenching fashion for Biola Women's Soccer on Saturday night. The Eagles were seemingly fixed for a third- consecutive draw and fifth overall but the visiting Westmont Warriors found the twine with just over one minute left to spoil that.

It was one of maybe three true offensive chances for the Warriors in a second half that was primarily run in Biola's offensive half of the pitch. The Warriors had one incredible chance right at the start of the period and then one other at the finish. Unfortunately for Biola the effort late in the game would get past Autum Monty and give another signature moment to Westmont.

The game-winning goal was a whale of a shot off the left foot of Amarys Machado. She caught a Biola defender or two out of position and was able to work her way through a gap and fire a rocket blast past Monty to suck all the air out of the Eagles' sails. Machado was an all-league player for Westmont last year, but this game-winning goal tonight is her first score since the season-opener in the first week of February.

For Biola, the loss is especially disheartening considering the myriad of solid offensive chances put together in the second half. Peyton Nelson had one such chance, but it was saved by the keeper despite a ton of power behind the ball on a breakout attack. 

Another key moment for the BU offense was when Briley Phelps used her left foot to redirect a ball from just inside the edge of the box and nearly find the top right corner of the cage. The ball sailed just high to keep the score at nil-nil at that point. 

Those two shots were two of 13 in the game for Biola. Westmont had 18 shots to lead the two sides, controlling the ball for much of the first half. Monty did manage four saves on the night, but just simply could not contort her body in front of the last Westmont effort.

Her opponent managed six saves for Westmont, including a remarkable stop of a first-half Biola effort where she got full extension to punch the ball up out of play from just under the center crossbar.

Biola will look back at those few standout offensive chances and have some regret, but ultimately the outcome of this game all hinged on one imperfect defensive sequence which allowed enough gap for the opponents to capitalize. 

Head Coach Brett Croft's Eagles are still in pursuit of their first win of the 2024 season. They will get their next chance on Thursday as they continue conference play at Concordia University Irvine (5-0-1, 1-0 PacWest). 

The Golden Eagles were one of the best teams in the region last year and seem to be vying for that standard again in 2024. The Eagles will look for a positive result to boost their current 0-4-4 overall mark.