Goalkeeper Andrew Kowan and the Trinity Western University men's soccer team put an exclamation mark on their first win of the 2010 preseason.

Playing on the road Monday in La Mirada, Calf. the Spartans knocked off the NAIA No. 8-ranked Biola University Eagles 1-0 on their home pitch at Al Barbour Field.

The loss for Biola in its home opener was the first in nine seasons as the Eagles had been 7-0-2 in their previous nine such matches.

The last loss was a 2-1 overtime defeat to cross-town foe Whittier College in 2001.

Monday's win improves the Spartans to 1-3-0, while the loss drops the Eagles to 0-1.

"We had a much better performance today. Our passing was better and we did a better job of controlling their play. For the most part, we outplayed them and out-chanced them; the only thing that we didn't do was really outscore them," TWU head coach Pat Rohla said, after the game. "Overall we had a greater appetite to play and psychologically it is a good win for us."

Rookie midfielder Chase Wickham got Trinity Western on the board early, scoring on a tough-angle shot in the 17th minute to put the visitors up 1-0.

Biola had 10 corner kicks and recorded 14 shots during the match, but was unable to get one past Kowan, who recorded six saves for his first clean sheet of the year.

At the other end of the pitch, the Spartans had five corner kicks and sent 14 shots towards the Eagles net.

Three of the four shots on target were stopped by Biola's Aaron Fenlason.

The Eagles had three corner kicks and as many free kicks within 25 yards in the first half, but could not convert on their opportunities.

Kowan made three saves in the first 16 minutes before the Spartans opening goal, including stopping a blast by Eagles' sniper Marco Ruvalcaba from 20 yards out in the 11th minute.

In the 21st minute, the Eagles had a great chance to score after a Spartans foul just outside of the box. Biola's Tony Montalvo stepped into the free kick and sent a shot toward the goal. Kowan made a spectacular leaping save, barely pushing the ball over the bar.

After halftime, the Eagles had a few more chances including another free kick from just outside of the box.

Again Montalvo blasted the ball up near the crossbar, only to see the Spartans 'keeper push it aside with a great leap.

The Spartans' next match is their Canada West conference opener today (Friday) when they will travel to Point Grey to play the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

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