The Biola men’s lacrosse team is preparing for a historical playoff run. The team’s record is 5-0 in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference and 8-3 overall. This was the team’s second best year as a club. In 2009 season they were 7-0 in conference play and 11-3 overall.
“It’s definitely one of the best seasons that we’ve had. Going 5-0 in league is huge because it puts us at a really good position for playoffs,” junior attacker and captain Jeff Clark said.
Eagles take on Grand Canyon University for chance at finals
Eagles take on Grand Canyon University for chance at finals
Biola’s next game is against Grand Canyon University in the semifinals of the SLC tournament. Interestingly, the only previous matchup between the teams was in the 2009 season, when Grand Canyon crushed Biola 22-6. Clark said that some of the ways that they will prepare for the game is by conditioning this week and watching a YouTube video of one of Grand Canyon’s games.
“Grand Canyon is a very good team. They were NCAA last year and they just dropped down to MCLA [Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association] this year,” Clark said. “They only have one loss on the year so all of us are going in with the expectation that it’s going to be a really hard-fought game.”
Biola is already the underdog in the game but will also enter Saturday without senior midfielder David Sigley, who broke his leg on March 30 in a 16-12 victory over Pepperdine University. However, the team has not suffered any other significant losses, something that should not be taken for granted in such a high-contact sport like lacrosse.
Team continues to grow on and off field
After being a member of the lacrosse team for three years, Clark has seen much growth in the program both on and off the field.
“Spiritually, the team is immensely encouraging. We do prayer requests before practice, we pray for one another,” he said. “It’s just a really unique environment for growing alongside each other as athletes.”
If Biola defeats Grand Canyon, they will then compete in the conference championship game on Sunday, May 6. If they win that game, they will qualify for the national tournament — a feat that has yet to be accomplished by a Biola lacrosse team.
Even though Clark is a junior, he is scheduled to graduate this upcoming fall semester so the 2012 season will be his final season of playing competitive lacrosse.
“I have just been tremendously blessed by the team. It is an experience that has been so good for me and I trust that anyone who comes out to play will really enjoy it as well,” he said.
Eagles continue to have success even though a club team
This is the 10th season of Biola men’s lacrosse, but it is still considered a club team so it is self-funded. Expenses for referees, equipment, and other fees can range anywhere between $9,000-$16,000 every season. Despite this, they have built a program so that they can compete in the SLC even without financial support from Biola.
