LA MIRADA, Calif. — On a night dedicated to honoring Biola's five graduating seniors — Aidan Burns, Jake Saffer, Jackson Finn, Brennan Furlan, and Ethan Hardin — the Eagles poured out every ounce of emotion they had left, but unfortunately saw their season end in excruciating fashion with a 2-1 loss to Fresno Pacific on Thursday evening at Al Barbour Field.

From the opening whistle, Biola played with the intensity befitting Senior Night. Burns got the start in goal and made three strong saves in the opening 12 minutes, setting a tone of composure and resilience before giving way to Francesco Tricarico for the remainder of the match. 

Furlan and Finn, both seniors, helped stabilize the midfield and front line in a first half that saw Biola generate nine shots but fall behind 1-0 after a penalty kick goal by the Sunbirds in the 26th minute.

Down a goal at halftime, Biola surged forward in the second half. The long-awaited equalizer came in the 70th minute when Jake Saffer, one of the night's honorees, deflected a ball home after a Lamar McKenzie shot set up by a smooth build-up from Ethan Michael.

That moment reignited the crowd and gave the Eagles a jolt of belief, marking Saffer's second goal of the season and one that seemed destined to send Biola toward a storybook ending.
For several minutes following the goal, the Eagles were flying. A flurry of corners in the 73rd and 74th minutes kept Fresno Pacific pinned deep, and Biola's consistent pressure generated multiple dangerous sequences inside the box. 

Mickyas Beyene and David Setters were standout players all night long for BU, setting the tone with their work rate on both sides of the pitch. Despite their efforts and the pull of momentum for Biola's offense, the breakthrough go-ahead goal never came.

Instead, the heartbreak did. In the 88th minute, Fresno Pacific found the winner on a long throw-in that finally broke through — a sequence that had felt ominously dangerous all game long. The perfectly placed ball landed for Phillip Rico, who struck home the decisive goal from close range.

The final whistle brought an end not only to the match but to Biola's 2025 campaign. Senior captain Ethan Hardin, sidelined tonight due to a yellow-card accumulation suspension, watched on in support of his team, his presence felt as a steadying leader even while not dressed out.

Though the scoreboard didn't favor Biola on this night, the performance embodied the heart of a group that refused to fade quietly. The loss brings Biola's season to a close with a record of 6-7-4 (3-5-2 PacWest).

See below for thoughts from coach O'Keefe about each of the five seniors:
Aidan Burns
I can remember Burns' first tryout with our program in the Spring of 2022 and how his personality and smile were shining bright. Anyone who knows Aidan knows that they have a friend immediately once they meet him. He is one of the most welcoming, hospitable, funniest, and loving guys in this program. What I'm going to miss most about Burns is how positive he is on the field and how he makes every player feel like he is their best friend. Aidan is the first person to offer a hand to help and knows exactly how to compete intensely while at the same time showing that the game of soccer is full of joy. My hope is that the Lord opens a path for him to stay local and that will stay involved around the biola men's soccer program for years to come.

Jackson Finn
Though this was Jackson's first and only year in the program, he's made an immediate impact in the locker room and on the field. He brought such a wealth of experience and energy that were crucial to our DNA this year. He is such a character and loves being part of this team that strives for brotherhood. The only downfall about Jackson is that we only get to coach him for one season, because we wish we had more time. His time with the BUMS , though short, will have a great impact for years to come, and his example to the younger players of what it takes to compete at the top level will permeate through generations here. My hope and prayer for Jackson is that he continues to strive for deep, authentic relationship with the Lord and that the Lord would continue to use his evangelistic heart to impact the world and honor the Great Commission.

Brennan Furlan
Brennan is one of the most artistic, creative, and focused players in our program - And this is both on and off the field. Though his college career came with sporadic injuries that rarely allowed him to give his full energy for 90 minutes, he was always locked in to give the team everything he had. When he's healthy, there are few creative attacking players in the conference that could impact a game as much as Brennan could. Brennan has a way of relating to his teammates and working alongside his brothers that is rare to find in this generation. His teammates will remember him as a deep thinker who always offered an ear to listen and a friend in their corner. My hope for you B, is that you never lose your curiosity for life and that you never stop pushing the limits of what is possible when you put your mind to big goals.

Ethan Hardin
Ethan was a three-year captain, and soon-to-be a four-time PacWest All-conference player. These are among the least significant things he has brought to this program. To bring a young man like Ethan into this Biola program would be a dream for any coach. Ethan's true spiritual gift lies in the gift of teaching and leadership of his peers. Whether it was teaching his teammates the various nuances and tactical details of the game of soccer or speaking in Biola's Chapel about the theological implications or apologetics, Ethan always seemed to be at his happiest when he was helping others gain new knowledge. He is one of the most humble and hard-working young men that I have had the privilege to Coach. Ethan has set the standard for what it looks like to represent the Biola University men's soccer team for future generations. He will be talked about years after he graduates this program for what a great friend, leader and teammate that he was both on and off the pitch. My prayer for Ethan is that the Lord would give him clarity and an avenue to continue teaching all that he has learned in his degrees here at Biola in the Talbot Seminary.

Jake Saffer
Saffer is one of the most mature and hard-working players in this program. I have never once doubted in four years that he was giving his absolute best and working diligently during the season and in the off-season. His defensive performances in the midfield were dominant, and some of my favorite moments include his raw emotion after celebrating wins or team goals. I am so proud to have the opportunity to coach someone who completely embodies what I believe to be the best about the biola university soccer team. Jake is humble, relentless, demanding, loving, and genuinely one of the nicest people that I have coached. My prayer for you, Jake is that you bring the same commitment, loyalty and dedication that you have for this brotherhood - into your marriage and career. No matter what the Lord has for his future as a husband and friend, I know that Jake will succeed in anything he puts his mind to.