For the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association’s West Regional Championships, the women’s golf team travelled to Goodyear, Ariz. to face off against the Ottawa University Spirit on Sept. 29. The Eagles looked to build upon their sixth place finish at the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate competition, held at a different course in Goodyear, Ariz.

Earning their place

As a team, the Eagles won the matchup easily, outscoring Spirit 618 to 654 over two rounds. The victory earns Biola a spot in the NCCAA National Championship Tournament in Palm Coast, Florida from Oct. 23-25.

The 36-hole day saw the continuing rise of sophomore Jules Loibl, PacWest golfer of the week, who led all individuals with a six-over 150 scorecard. Loibl continued to lead the way for the Eagles, with a competition-best of 73 in the first round.

Sophomore Tori Roeske came in just behind Loibl, shooting a 152 for the second best overall score of the matchup. Roeske’s first round score of 75 marked her season best round score, and she matched Loibl in the second round with a score of 77.

Dynamic Trio tops scoreboard

Freshman Marcel Manalo completed the top three with a score of 157. Manalo struggled in the first round, posting a score of 82, but came back in the second round with a season round of 75.

The trio of Loibl, Roeske and Manalo topped the matchup scoreboard, above any golfer from Ottawa. The trio also posted the five best rounds of the day, all scoring lower than any round by Spirit golfers. Ottawa’s Kayli Melissa posted a 158 to come in fourth place. Eagles sophomores Bella Larson and Alexis Gopfert rounded out the top six with scores of 161 and 164, respectively.

The Eagles look to continue their hot start of the season with another competition in Arizona at the Embry-Riddle Co-Ed Invitational on October 9-10.