Box Score ROCKLIN, Calif. --- The Eagles dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to William Jessup on Saturday afternoon, Biola's fourth loss since starting the season 11-1, but Concordia's woes are even worse as their fourth straight loss forces them to pack their things and come to Al Barbour Field, instead of vice-versa, for the first round of the playoffs.
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Biola's match today started out promising with a goal by
Jessie Burns, her second of the year, just 13 minutes into the match, but standout defensive effort from William Jessup and a leaky one from Biola allowed the Warriors to take the dramatic 3-2 double-overtime win.
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Despite 30 shots, 14 of them going on goal, the Eagles could only convert two, Burns' header off the cross by
Adeline Saldana, her second assist of the year, and a late second half tap-in by
Miranda Starbeck, fourth of the season. While the .07 shots-to-goals ratio from this game is about half their season number, .130, the Eagles still came close to their season average of 2.3 goals per game. However, the defense that has played so well at times, nine shutouts, allowed three goals for the third time in the last five games and gave up double-digit shots, 17, for the sixth-straight game.
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Each side's shaky defenses were bailed out again and again by some tremendous goalkeeping. The Warriors' Hayleigh Lamping managed to grab or knock away 12 balls, tied for second most by any opponent Biola has faced this season. In between the pipes for Biola,
Briana Williams put in another strong performance, tallying eight saves. The eight saves is a new season-high for Williams; another ill omen of Biola's defense as it is the third time in the last four games that Williams has set a season-high in saves.
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The recent losses have blemished what was a record-setting season with Biola starting 11-1, climbing to No. 8 nationally and sitting atop the Golden State Athletic Conference standings less than two months ago. The regular season still remains one of the best in program history, surpassing 2011's 10-6-1 team a by nearly 10 percent in win percentage. Of course, a playoff win at home would go a long way in washing away these recent losses and putting this season firmly in the record books.
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Biola is 0-1 against Concordia this season with a 4-1 loss coming on the road on Oct. 14, preceding both teams steep slips in the standings. The playoff match will be Tuesday at Al Barbour Field. Time of the match is yet to be determined.Â
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