Biola men’s soccer lost to the Hope International University Royals 3-2 this Saturday in Fullerton, California.

The game proved a hard fought battle between the Eagles and the Royals, but the home team dominated the first half.

Only a minute and a half into the game, the Royals scored on their first shot off a header that snuck by junior keeper JT Addington. Six minutes later, the Royals found the back of the net a second time, extending their lead to 2-0.

Throughout the first 25 minutes of the game the Royals were first to the ball and controlled possession, not allowing the Eagles any real scoring opportunities.

Fifteen minutes before halftime, Biola senior midfielder Stephen Campos received a red card and had to leave the pitch, causing the Eagles to play with one less man for the rest of the game. This inspired the Eagles, fighting harder with fewer players on the field.

Thirty-six seconds into the second half, junior midfielder Joey O’Keefe put the Eagles on the scoreboard with a shot placed in the upper left corner of the net.

Despite having one less player on the field, the game came much closer the second half. The Eagles commanded play the last 15 minutes of the game, registering multiple shots on goal.

With two seconds left in the game, junior forward Stephen Tanquary’s strategically placed header after a scramble in the box added another goal to the Eagles’ score, bringing them to a 2-2 tie with the Royals.

In extra time, the Royals scored with 59 seconds left. They won the game 3-2.

The Eagles look to recover from this loss when they take on the Westmont College Warriors Wednesday, Oct. 1.