Skip To Main Content

Biola University Athletics

Scoreboard

The Official Athletic Site of the Biola University Eagles

Scoreboard

bench celebration 2
Jayson Ortiz - @photosbyjayson
10
Mount St. Mary's MSM (0-2)
13
Winner Biola BU (1-0)
Mount St. Mary's MSM
(0-2)
10
Final
13
Biola BU
(1-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 OT F
Mount St. Mary's MSM 2 3 3 2 0 10
Biola BU 1 5 4 3 0 13

Game Recap: Men's Water Polo | | Ethan McGarvey, Sports Information Director

Game One, Win One

Jens Cole and the Eagles picked up the dub in the season opener on Saturday.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --- A new era arrived on Saturday, as debuts riddled the 2025 season opener for Biola Men's Water Polo. Fresh faces across the pool deck dawning the BU on their cap, got the job done with a 13-10 win against Mount St. Mary's. 

2025 began at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado for BU. With new Eagles everywhere, Head Coach Jens Cole headlined in his coaching debut for Biola with his first career coaching win. After trailing early, the Eagles surged ahead with a dominant second quarter and never looked back.

"It was a great game and we are super proud of them," commented Cole after the game. "Defensively, our guys did a really good job of adjusting to the style of play that Mount was trying to execute on. We've talked since the beginning of preseason about being a team that holds offenses to 10 goals or less, so it was a great sign to see the boys step up in the first challenge they faced." 

Mount St. Mary's jumped out to a quick 2–0 lead in the first period behind even strength goals in the first three minutes. With just six seconds left in the quarter, Ryan Previch got Biola on the board, scoring on a powerplay to make it 2–1.

The Eagles exploded in the second quarter with five goals, including strikes from Caden Digby, Levi Bengelink (extra-man), Colton Brown, Noah Ryznar, and a buzzer-beater from Gavin McKenzie. Despite three goals by the Mountaineers during the period, Biola took a 6–5 lead into halftime.

The back-and-forth action continued in the third. Biola's Nick Murray and Kyle Seifen answered MSM goals, and Digby added his second powerplay goal. Another extra-man goal from Murray helped the Eagles maintain their lead at 10–8 heading into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, Biola sealed the win with goals from Bengelink, Caleb Hernandez, and a final powerplay strike from Adam Lavoy with just 18 seconds remaining. Alexandros Belesis led MSM with four goals, including a late effort that cut Biola's lead to two before Lavoy's dagger.

Biola was outshot by its opponent 26–35 but was much more efficient, converting at a 50% shooting clip. They also capitalized better on powerplays, going 5-for-14 compared to MSM's 2-for-10.

The attack from the Eagles was well-balanced with 10 players netting a goal in the victory. Six Eagles posted multiple points, including a team-high four from freshman Caden Digby. Digby led the way with two goals and two assists, while fellow freshman Bengelink and BU veteran Murray each also scored two tallies.

"We just did a really awesome job across the board, sharing of the wealth, if you know what I mean," added Cole about his offense. "It was just really cool to kind of see how different guys were stepping up and playing for each other."

"Our goalies did awesome, coming up big with multiple blocks and steals," said Cole. Joshua Dachenhausen and John Winters split time in the cage in the winning effort, combining for 13 saves. 

Biola will be right back in the pool at the Cadet Natatorium at 2:00 pm PT (3:00 pm MT), facing Salem.
Print Friendly Version
Skip Ad

Sponsors