May 5, 2012 – On Saturday, the Biola Eagles fell to the Grand Canyon ‘Lopes in the semi-finals of the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference, ending their 2012 season. Biola finishes 2012 with an 8-4 overall record, much improved from 2011’s 7-10 record. The Eagles finished 5-0 in conference, making 2012 their third season with an undefeated conference record.
Both teams started the first quarter slow, but Grand Canyon was able to settle in, eventually scoring two goals before the quarter came to an end. The ‘Lopes defense stymied Biola’s usually potent attack until late into the second quarter, when Biola managed to score two goals. Grand Canyon’s offense heated up in the second, scoring four times to give them a 6-2 advantage at halftime.
The third quarter proved to be the nail in Biola’s coffin, as a red-hot Grand Canyon offense took advantage of defensive errors, outscoring the Eagles 6-1. Biola started a meager comeback in the fourth, scoring three unanswered goals, but it was too little, too late. Grand Canyon took the air out of the ball, holding it on their offensive end, keeping Biola from mounting a comeback, and preserving their 12-6 victory.
For the first time all season, no Biola player scored more than one goal. Senior attackmen Adam Kingston and Marc Morgan, junior attackman Jeff Clark, senior midfielder Jon McMahan, junior midfielder Scott Gamelson, and freshman midfielder Matt Young all scored one goal in the contest. Morgan, Gamelson, and freshman midfielder Josh Nordstrom all tallied an assist in the contest. Senior goalie Sean Lane turned away 10 ‘Lopes shots in the loss.