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Touchdown celebration
13
Arizona Christian ACU 7-7
21
Winner La Sierra LSU 11-5
Arizona Christian ACU
7-7
13
Final
21
La Sierra LSU
11-5
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
ACU Arizona Christian 0 6 0 7 13
LSU La Sierra 14 0 7 0 21

Game Recap: Women's Flag Football |

Golden Eagles Advance to GSAC Championship in 21-13 Victory Over ACU

Glendale, Ariz. - The La Sierra University Women's Flag Football team competed in their first ever postseason appearance in the 2026 GSAC inaugural season. The Golden Eagles faced the Arizona Christian University Firestorm where they took the victory, 21-13.

La Sierra had previously faced the Firestorm for two match ups this season where they split in a 38-19 win and a 14-26 loss. Entering this game, the Golden Eagles were looking to walk away on top and advance to the championship match.

The Golden Eagles built the margin early, scoring twice in the first quarter, then answered Arizona Christian's push with the decisive final touchdown of the day with 18 seconds left in the third quarter. That score stretched La Sierra's lead back to two possessions, and the defense made it stand after Arizona Christian pulled within eight in the fourth.

La Sierra struck first at the 7:24 mark of the opening quarter when Grace Galdamez connected with Matea Verdugo for an 18-yard touchdown. Ariana Rivera added the point after for a 7-0 lead. The Golden Eagles went back on top again with 2:12 left in the quarter when Rivera accounted for another touchdown through the air, and the extra point pushed the advantage to 14-0.

Arizona Christian settled in during the second quarter and trimmed the deficit on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 6:04 remaining before halftime. The extra-point try failed, leaving La Sierra in front 14-6 at the break. The Firebirds continued to move the ball, finishing with 180 total yards and 12 first downs, but La Sierra limited the damage and kept control.

The Golden Eagles finished with 208 total yards on 43 offensive plays. Rivera led the offense, completing 24 of 31 passes for 145 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Verdugo turned in one of the top receiving performances of the afternoon, catching eight passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns. La Sierra also stayed balanced enough to add 45 rushing yards while committing just four penalties for 25 yards.

Arizona Christian made one more run after La Sierra scored again late in the third quarter and converted the extra point for a 21-6 lead. Maccagnano found Aleena Tobar for a 15-yard touchdown with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter, and the conversion cut the margin to 21-13. La Sierra's defense closed the final stretch to send the Golden Eagles on to the next round of the GSAC Tournament, where the opponent is still to be determined.

Head Coach Brianne Talboom reflected on the day's match, "I'm incredibly proud of this team and the work we've put in to reach this point. Getting to the championship is no small feat and it reflects the dedication and resilience everyone has shown all season. We know there's a tough challenge ahead tomorrow, but we're going to give everything we have on the field to represent La Sierra University, along with our friends and families, with pride. Thank you for the support!"

The Golden Eagles are next set to face Hope International University in the GSAC Championship on Friday, April 17 at 1:00 pm in Glendale, Ariz.
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