LA MIRADA, Calif. --- First-year Head Coach Bethany Miller has put together a tough 2011-12 schedule which features nine games against NAIA Tournament teams, 16 home games and the Third Annual Biola University Holiday Classic.
The Eagles open the season with three scrimmages and exhibitions, the final of which comes against NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2:00 p.m.
Biola then heads north for a pair of games as part of the Holy Names University Classic in Oakland, opening the regular season against Menlo College on Friday, Nov. 4. The Eagles then face off against Holy Names on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Biola's next six games are all home games as the team plays just one road game the rest of the calendar year. The Eagles home opener comes on Friday, Nov. 11 against Lewis-Clark State College, which was ranked No. 10 in the final NAIA Division I poll last season and reached the second-round of the NAIA Tournament.
Golden State Athletic Conference play begins on Saturday, Dec. 3, as Biola hosts Vanguard University at 4:30 p.m. The Lions were another NAIA Tournament team and was ranked No. 19 in the final NAIA poll.
The third annual Biola University Holiday Classic returns on Dec. 28-30, with the Eagles playing twice during that stretch. On Thursday, Biola hosts College of the Ozarks (Missouri)--which reached the NAIA Division II Tournament last season, then hosts Hastings University (Neb.) on Friday. Both games are at 5:30 p.m.
The Eagles return to GSAC play quickly, traveling to arch-rival and NAIA defending National Champions Azusa Pacific University on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Biola has two breaks in conference play the rest of the way, traveling to first-year program Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and to Chapman University on Thursday, Feb. 16.
The Eagles' annual rivalry game against APU at home takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m. This year's contest will be the final one as the Cougars are moving to the NCAA in 2012.
Biola reached the NAIA Tournament for the third time in as many seasons last year. The Eagles finished with a record of 25-7 and placed second in the GSAC.
CLICK HERE for the complete 2011-12 schedule.
