LA MIRADA, Calif. ---
Biola Women's Soccer had opportunities to make Saturday afternoon's PacWest showdown uncomfortable for Point Loma, but the Eagles could not find the finishing touch in a 2-0 home loss at Al Barbour Field.
The result was Biola's first defeat in conference play, moving the Eagles to 7-4-2 overall and 4-1-1 in the PacWest. Point Loma improved to 7-2-5 and 4-0-2.
Saturday's meeting carried considerably more weight than the teams' first
matchup of the season. Point Loma defeated Biola 4-0 in San Diego on Sept. 17, but that contest was played outside the PacWest schedule. This time, three conference points were at stake.
Biola generated plenty of early pressure despite falling behind in the 15th minute.
Briley Phelps was especially active, taking five of her match-high six shots during the opening half. The Eagles outshot Point Loma 12-11 over the first 45 minutes and produced perhaps their best sequence midway through the period when
Adrielle Salvador fired twice in quick succession, including an attempt off the crossbar in the 28th minute.
Still, Point Loma carried a 1-0 advantage into halftime after Maddy Saruwatari scored at 14:18 remaining.Â
The Sea Lions created separation quickly after the restart in the second half. Priya Torres doubled the advantage in the 50th minute, and Point Loma's defense prevented
Biola from generating the same volume of chances from that point forward.Â
The visitors held a 12-5 second-half advantage in shots and finished the afternoon ahead 23-17 overall and 7-4 in shots on goal.
Biola split the match in goal.
Sami Robinson made two saves while playing the opening 45 minutes, and
Laura Brennan stopped three shots after halftime.
The loss adds another layer of urgency to an already crowded
PacWest race.
Biola entered Saturday with 13 conference points, two behind Vanguard and three behind first-place Concordia, while Point Loma sat just behind the Eagles with 11. Saturday's result moves the Sea Lions to 14 points and ahead of
Biola, while the Eagles remain at 13.
Hawai'i Hilo entered Saturday with 12 points.
There is still plenty to be decided.
Biola's final three conference matches come against Westmont at home on Saturday, Oct. 24, followed by road tests at Vanguard on Oct. 28 and Concordia on Oct. 31.
The Eagles return to Al Barbour Field next Saturday for a 7 p.m.
matchup with Westmont. It is senior night.
