LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's soccer team made a triumphant return to University Stadium on Wednesday night with an entertaining win over Biola in the Golden Eagles' 2023 home opener.

The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second half and then held on for a 2-1 victory over a determined Biola squad. Cal State LA (2-1-1) got goals from Andrea Hernandez and Liliana Gonzalez to take the two-goal lead after 54 minutes, but Biola (0-4-1) struck back with a goal from Sarah Melvin in the 71st minute to make things very interesting down the stretch.

Taesja Paopao, after not needing to make a save in the first half, made seven of them in the second half, including a big stop on a breakaway attempt in the opening minutes of the second half. The seven saves are a season high for Paopao.

Cal State LA had a solid showing in the first half and had a 8-1 advantage in shots. Biola, though, was much more dangerous in the second half and had a 10-6 edge that made the final count 14-11 in favor of the Golden Eagles.

Biola goalkeeper Autum Monty made a pair of saves for the Eagles. 

Andrea Hernandez opened the scoring in the 39th minute when she stole a clearing attempt and rifled a shot from the top of the box to the near post, just under the crossbar. It was the first goal of her Cal State LA career.

That was the only scoring of the first half, although Cal State LA had a big edge in possession.

Cal State LA made it 2-0 in the 54th minute on a goal from Liliana Gonzalez, who led the Golden Eagles last year with six goals. She made a steal in Biola territory, carried the ball into the box, and fired a shot to the far post for her first goal of the season and 11th of her Cal State LA career.

That lead held steady until the 71st minute when Biola, which had been pressuring for much of the half, was able to slice the lead in half. Sarah Melvin did the scoring honors with a dynamic shot from outside the box that nestled inside the far post, just under the crossbar. Serena Andrade picked up an assist.

Biola had five shots in the final seven minutes, including a bid from Ella Grannis that hit the left post. Paopao made three saves down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Skylynn Rodriguez had five shots for the Golden Eagles, while Briley Phelps had five shots for the Eagles, including four on goal. Gonzalez had three shots for the Golden Eagles, while Shelby Melin had two shots, including one on a free kick that hit the crossbar in the first half.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Azusa Pacific at 4:30 p.m.