IRVINE, Calif.--- Biola picked up its first win of the 2026 season, topping Chapman 15-11 at the UCI Invitational on Friday afternoon at Anteater Aquatics Complex.
The Eagles came out firing, scoring the first five goals of the match to take control early. Gavin Starling opened the scoring off a feed from Isaac Demski and struck again less than two minutes later on an assist from Landon Heuer. Xander Trevitt and Noah Ryznar added goals of their own before Demski capped the run with 1:25 remaining in the opening period.
Chapman got on the board with 19 seconds left in the quarter, but Biola carried a 5-1 lead into the second.
The Eagles kept the pressure on early in the second period with Carson Crocket and Ivan Tkach extending the lead to 7-1. Ryznar added his second goal of the afternoon and Caden Digby also found the back of the cage as Biola took a 9-3 advantage.
Chapman responded with two goals to close out the half, but the Eagles remained in control with a 9-5 lead at the break.
The Panthers continued to chip away in the third, but Biola had an answer. Heuer opened the second-half scoring before Ryznar completed his hat trick with 4:57 remaining in the period. Kevin Slack and Kyle Seifen followed with goals of their own, giving the Eagles a 13-8 advantage heading into the fourth.
Starling completed his hat trick with the first goal of the final period, pushing Biola's lead to 14-8. Chapman made a late push with three unanswered goals, but Ryan Previch put the finishing touches on the Eagles' first victory of the season with a goal in the final five seconds.
Biola received contributions throughout the lineup with 11 different Eagles finding the back of the net. Ryznar led the way with three goals and two assists for a team-high five points, while Starling also recorded a hat trick.Â
Heuer finished with a goal and two assists, while Micah Hernandez added two assists. Crocket, Trevitt, Demski, Tkach, Digby, Slack, Seifen and Previch each contributed a goal.
Cooper Smith played all 32 minutes in the cage for Biola, recording 11 saves against the Panthers.
The Eagles improved to 1-1 on the season and return home Saturday for their home-opening slate at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center. Biola will begin the day with a scrimmage against Saddleback College at 12 p.m. before hosting Whittier at 6 p.m. for its first regular-season home match.
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