LA GRANDE, Ore. --- Biola Women's Soccer appears in the NAIA National Championship Tournament for the first time since 2004. The Eagles face Eastern Oregon in an Opening Round game that is for a ticket to the big dance in Orange Beach, Alabama.
The Opening Round match takes place at Eastern Oregon University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. This is the first all-time meeting between the Eagles and the Mountaineers.
Both teams earned their spot in the NAIA National Championship Tournament via at-large berths after losing in their conference tournament. Biola lost 3-0 to No. 8 Westmont in the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament championship. EOU lost in penalty kicks against No. 25 Carroll (Mont.) in the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament championship.
MATCH FACTS:
Date: Nov. 21, 2015
Time: 1:00 p.m. PT
Location: Eastern Oregon University (La Grande, Ore.)
Ticket Prices: General Admission - $8, Military/Senior - $4, Students - $2
Live Stream: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/eou/ (Costs $7.95)
Live Stats: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/eou/ (Free – click the graph icon)
Live Stats Option 2: http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/WebcastPlayByPlay/WebcastPBP.aspx?association=10&sg=WSO&compID=59193&sea=
What's At Stake: A berth to the 16-team 2015 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship in Orange Beach, Alabama (Nov. 30 – Dec. 5)
ABOUT EOU:
Eastern Oregon appears in its first ever NAIA National Championship Tournament. The Mountaineers finished one point behind Carroll in the Cascade Collegiate Conference standings during the regular season with a 9-2 conference mark.
The Mountaineers boast a 17-2-1 overall record following a record-setting 7-0-1 preseason record that got the team off to a great start after a 3-8-4 overall record in 2014.
Eastern Oregon ranks No. 1 in the NAIA in shutouts this season with 14 shutouts coming in their 20 total matches. As a result of this strong defensive effort the Mountaineers' keeper Jessica Parker (#1) is fifth in the country in goals-against average (.450).
They are not a slouch on offense either as EOU ranks No. 13 in the NAIA in total goals (65). The player to watch in the offensive third is Crystal Schuder (#6) who has 17 goals and six assists this season. She has seven game-winning goals, which is seventh best in the nation.
Schuder is one of five Mountaineers to win all-conference honors during the 2015 season. Also recognized was Parker, defender Allison Jordan, midfielder Makensie Forsyth and the CCC Newcomer of the Year Zoe Anderson.
Biola and Eastern Oregon both met Menlo College this season. The Eagles tied once with the Oaks before beating the team later in the season. The Mountaineers earned a 3-2 victory over Menlo in their single meeting.
