LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Al Barbour Field was standing-room only, and
Jade Alverio made sure the home crowd went home happy, scoring a late goal to lift Biola past Cal State San Bernardino 1-0.
It is the first home win of the 2026 season for Biola Women's Soccer, helping them improve to 3-2-1 with just one preseason match remaining. Head Coach
Brett Croft's team has now gone four matches without a loss, gathering momentum as they work towards the conference slate beginning.Â
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With the match scoreless in the second half and the crowd packed in around the pitch,
Briley Phelps collected the ball in the midfield and found herself surrounded by three CSUSB defenders. Phelps worked her way out of the pressure and delivered a through ball into space for Alverio, who finished in the 80th minute for the game's only goal — her third of the season.
"That goal was everybody's goal tonight," said Alverio. "Being calm on the ball for me has been my biggest thing from game to game. I think placing the ball and taking a deep breath and knowing, like, this is for my team, this is for my coaches, this is for everyone who came out tonight."
It's the second straight match in which Alverio has delivered when it mattered most. She scored the equalizer late in Biola's draw with Cal State San Marcos earlier this week, and now she's provided the winner in a one-goal decision against the Yotes.
Sami Robinson made the start in goal and played all 90 minutes, finishing with six saves to secure the clean sheet. She had to face immense pressure in the second half as the CSUSB attack found its footing.
Biola and CSUSB traded chances evenly in the first half, with each side registering nine shots, but neither team could find the breakthrough. CSUSB came out with renewed pressure after halftime, out-shooting Biola 14-8 in the final 45 minutes as they searched for a go-ahead goal. Robinson was tested throughout, coming up with four of her six saves after the break, including back-to-back stops in the match's final minutes to preserve the shutout.
"I've been praying about it, praying over our team. And I love my team," said Alverio. "We have such a great group of girls this year, and I'm so excited to just go at it in every game with everybody."
Taylin Laws was a stabilizing presence on the back line all match, repeatedly stepping up to clear the ball and disrupt the visitor's second-half surge.
Hayden Gehring was Biola's most active attacking threat, leading the team with five shots, including several late looks in the final 15 minutes that kept the pressure on the defense even after Biola had taken the lead.
Up next for the Eagles is a familiar foe, Point Loma. Biola travels to the Sea Lions for a non-conference clash this Thursday before beginning league tilts on September 26 vs. Chaminade at home. Fans should once again pile in to Al Barbour Field that night as Biola students can take home a fan jersey to support the team.
