Oct. 7, 2008
Final Stats
CHICAGO - Cynthia Morote-Ariza scored two goals assisted on another to lead Loyola to a 3-1 win over Green Bay tonight in a driving rain storm at Loyola Soccer Park. The win is the fifth in succession for the Ramblers and pushes their record to 8-7 (4-0 Horizon). Green Bay falls to 3-4-2 (0-2) with the loss.
"It is always good to get a win, under any conditions," said head coach Frank Mateus. "Obviously, with the weather like it was tonight, it was difficult for both teams and I think the rain had an effect, especially in the first half. We fell behind early but I was proud at how we kept our composure and getting that first goal certainly helped us."
Loyola had the first good chance of the match just over one minute into the match but Morote-Ariza hit the side-netting from a tough angle. However, it was Green Bay that got on the board first as a foul in the box gave the Phoenix a penalty, which Claire Townsend converted for a 1-0 lead after just six minutes.
Turn about was fair play and the Ramblers equalized from the spot 15 minutes later. Alexia Murray sent a 30 yard drive towards the net that, due to the rain, Green Bay keeper Maddie Drusch was only able to punch away. The ball fell right to the feet of Morote-Ariza who was taken down while trying to round Drusch. She stepped up and slotted home the penalty to even the score in the 21st minute.
Loyola kept the pressure on and got the lead in the late stages of the half, with Casey Berrier rising over her mark to head in a Morote-Ariza corner kick in the 38th minute, giving LU a 2-1 lead that it took into half time.
Morote-Ariza then gave Loyola an insurance goal in the 69th minute with a terrific individual effort, tucking a drive from outside the box just under the crossbar for her eighth goal of the season. Jackie Vera and Nikki Staton each had chances to add a fourth and Morote-Ariza had an attempt for the hat trick go wide in the waning minutes as Loyola locked up the win.
With her five points tonight, Morote-Ariza reached yet another milestone in her illustrious career. The output gives her 101 points for her career, making her the only player in LU history to reach the milestone.
The Ramblers outshot the Phoenix 19-6 for the match, including a 10-2 margin in the second half.
Loyola steps out of conference one last time when it hosts SIU-Edwardsville at Loyola Soccer Park on Friday night at 7 p.m.
