--- Biola Athletics' Top-20 for 19-20 countdown and competition continues its second round on Wednesday May 13. It's a first round winner vs. first round bye going head-to-head today as "Jamir Seals It" matches up with "We Made It!". Watch the video above to relive the thrilling moments for Biola Women's Soccer and Biola Cross Country.
Read the descriptions below and then place your votes on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook (@biolaathletics).
Jamir Seals It:
For a team that is defined by a culture that like a tight-knit family, the end to the 2019 regular season couldn't have been more meaningful for Biola Women's Soccer. After falling behind two goals to none just nine minutes into the match at Fresno Pacific, the Eagles scored three unanswered goals and got a game-winner from All-PacWest midfielder
Halie Jamir seven minutes into the first overtime. In the final match of the regular season, all three of Biola's goals were assisted by seniors.
Christine Goodman scored the first, with the goal coming on her birthday. It was the second score of her freshman season. Then senior captain
Hali Oakes evened the match at 2-2 with a goal in the 56th minute. With the push to overtime,
Paula-Marie Labate made a great play in the penalty area to fend off defenders and hold the ball for Jamir's open look. The goal secured an 8-2-1 PacWest record for Biola Women's Soccer and gave the Eagles their first win in Fresno since 2004. Oakes' and Labate's heroics, along with assists from
Colie Martin and Sarah Jefferies, meant that the class of 13 seniors on coach
Erin Brunelle's roster never lost a game in their careers where they scored two goals or more--a testament to the Eagles' incredible defense-first identity that was on display virtually all season long.
We Made It!:
In a huge milestone for Biola Athletics, the men's and women's cross country teams became the first Eagles' programs to qualify for NCAA postseason, when in early November both teams' strong showing at the PacWest Championships garnered spots at the NCAA West Region Championships in Monmouth, Oregon. On the women's side, MacKenna Mason paced the Eagles with a top-25 all-region finish while teammates
Grace Catena,
Clara Haynes and
Kaili Waller all added top-100 finishes of their own in Biola's first postseason competition to give the Eagles a 14th-place overall finish. Coming off a second-straight PacWest Championship,
Gabe Plendcio turned in another fantastic individual finish, placing fourth overall as the Eagles took sixth-place as a team.
Angel Escobar,
Brady DeHaven and
Ryan St. Pierre all placed in the top-50 as well, powering the Eagles to their first ever NCAA National Championship berth via an at-large bid. The Eagles finished 25th overall in nationals, led again by Plendcio.
First Round Results:
Jen's Big Day (48%) vs.
Larson's Big Day (52%)
Jamir Seals It (56%) vs. Down Goes APU (44%) -
MOST VOTES IN 1ST ROUND (898)
60 Minutes Win It (40%) vs.
A Run To Remember (60%)
Stunning Start (42%) vs.
Record Breaker (58%)
Second Round Results:
Mike's Moment (51%) vs. Larson's Big Day (49%)
Perfect Paige (45%) vs.
Hello, Ben! (55%)
See the schedule below and be sure to follow us on all three platforms to give your top moments the best chance of advancing.
Monday, May 11 - Second Round begins
Wednesday, May 20 - Second Round ends
Thursday, May 21 - Elite Eight matchups announced
Monday, May 25 - Elite Eight begins
Thursday, May 28 - Elite Eight ends
Friday, May 29 - Final Four matchups announced
Monday, June 1 - Final Four begins
Wednesday, June 3 - Championship matchup
Thursday, June 4 - Winner announced