LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Junior Brandi Johannsen scored on a 25 yard free kick in the 51st minute to lead Biola to a 1-0 upset win over No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene on Tuesday night in La Mirada.
The Eagles (6-6-3, 2-5-2 GSAC) kept their ultra-thin playoff hopes alive with the victory while the Sea Lions' (11-4-0, 6-3-0 GSAC)hopes of a GSAC championship were dashed with the loss.
Johannsen's goal was beautiful twisting shot to the far post off a long free kick. It was her third tally of the season with all three coming off great free kicks.
The two teams battled at midfield for the better part of the first half with Point Loma holding a slim 5-2 edge on shots after 45 minutes. The best chance by either side came in the 40th minute when Johannsen sent another long free kick just high of the net.
In the second half, the game picked up with both sides creating great scoring chances.
The Sea Lions came out with the first great chance as Rebecca Lewis took a crack through traffic from about 20 yards out. However, Biola netminder Keri Schulz made a spectacular diving save to keep the ball out of the goal.
After the Eagles took the lead in the 51st minute, the match began to get chippy. Biola managed to hold off the Sea Lions with great work all along the back line.
The Eagles suffered a major setback in the 62nd minute when freshman Becky Mossman was issued a red card for hauling down a Point Loma player on a breakaway.
Just a minute later, the Sea Lions created a great chance as a high ball was lofted into the box, but again Shultz saved the day by punching it clear while surrounded by three green shirts.
11 minutes after the Biola player was sent off, Point Loma had a player receive a red card to even the field as Amanda Rowand was sent off after receiving two yellow cards for desent in a two minute span.
From that point on, Biola took matters into its own hands, looking for an insurance goal that seemed so close, but never came. Bethany Wikfors had a great chance in the 72nd minute with a header off a corner kick, but Point Loma goalie Cissy Butler made a great diving save.
Shultz played one of her best matches of the year, recording six saves while facing 15 shots in the match an earning her fourth cleansheet of the season.
Prior to the match, Biola honored eight seniors in their final home match. They were Jordan Bishop, Michelle Harvey, Heidi Hofmann, Kira Keohen, Jenni Loya, Andrea Roetter, Keri Schultz and Natalie Thronton.
The Eagles play their final regular season match on Thursday (Oct. 26) when they travel to face Hope International at 3:00 p.m.
