The Benedictine Mesa women's flag football team battled through a challenging doubleheader, showing resilience and growth across two games against Hope International and La Sierra.
GAME 1: Hope International 32, Benedictine Mesa 6
The Redhawks opened the day against a disciplined Hope International squad. Benedictine Mesa worked to find its rhythm early, but HIU capitalized on two first-half scoring drives to take control of the game, building a 19–0 lead by halftime.
Benedictine Mesa's defense tightened in the third quarter, creating a short field that set up the team's first scoring drive of the day. The Redhawks marched 28 yards in five plays, finishing with a touchdown from
Giahni Ruiz to make it 25–6.
Despite the momentum shift, Hope International responded with a fourth-quarter scoring drive that closed the door on a Benedictine comeback attempt.
The Redhawks continued to show energy and fight throughout, but ultimately fell 32–6.
GAME 2: La Sierra 33, Benedictine Mesa 27
The second game of the doubleheader was a showcase of Benedictine Mesa's potential, execution, and heart. The Redhawks dominated much of the contest and built what looked like a commanding lead before a late surge from La Sierra flipped the result.
Benedictine Mesa came out firing with a statement 10-play, 56-yard touchdown drive to open the game. Another long drive late in the first quarter extended the lead to 12–0 before the Redhawks added a third consecutive touchdown—this time a rushing score and conversion from
Giahni Ruiz—to go up 19–0 early in the second.
After La Sierra cut the lead to 20–6, Benedictine again answered with a methodical 48-yard drive capped by another Ruiz rushing touchdown and conversion, rebuilding a 26–6 advantage midway through the third.
La Sierra's offense found late momentum, scoring just before the third quarter ended to make it 27–12. In the final minutes, the Golden Eagles connected on a series of quick-strike drives—covering 44, 32, and 41 yards—to complete a stunning comeback.
The Redhawks continued to battle to the final whistle, but La Sierra's final touchdown with 43 seconds left gave them the 33–27 edge.
Â