Sept. 12, 2010
Box Score
EAST LANSING- The Loyola women's soccer team fired six shots and Rambler goalkeeper Katie Groesch made seven saves, but the team effort came up short, as the Ramblers fell to an offensive-happy Michigan State team on Sunday morning, 3-0 in East Lansing, Michigan.
After back-to-back wins, Loyola suffers its first loss in almost a week. The Ramblers now stand at 2-5 on the 2010 campaign. With the win, the Spartans improve to 4-2-1.
Heading into Sunday's contest, head coach Frank Mateus and his Ramblers knew they were up against a Michigan State team that finds the scoreboard early, and plays tough defense to seal the victory. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for the Spartans to execute this game plan.
The Spartans netted two goals within the game's opening 17 minutes, thanks to scores from Laura Heyboar and Hannah Peterson. Heyboar gave Michigan State the lead after dribbling into the Loyola box, then firing a shot off Groesch's hand into the back of the net. Peterson made the game 2-0 after angling a successful shot from the right side of the field.
Loyola fought back and almost found a goal from Cara Morawski. In the 32nd minute, Morawski fired a shot that nearly found the net, but Spartan goalkeeper Jill Flietstra made the save.
Michigan State took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The second half mirrored the opening frame for both teams, with the Spartans finding ways to move the ball often into the Loyola box, while the Ramblers were forced to play grind-it-out defense.
In the 60th minute, the home team scored its third and final goal of the game, when Olivia Stander netted a shot from the left side of the playing field, giving Michigan State a 3-0 advantage.
The Ramblers managed two more shots in the final half, but both attempts were saved by Fliestra.
At the end of regulation, the Spartans earned the 3-0 win.
On offense, Morawski led Loyola with three shots, all of which were on goal. The senior now has six attempts on the season. Along with Groesch's seven blocks, Colleen Dougherty subbed in between the posts, making a save late in the contest.
The Loyola women's soccer team will stay on the road and head to Dayton, Ohio, where they will face the Dayton Flyers on September 17. Match time is set for 6:30 p.m. CST.
