Oct. 26, 2013
Final Stats
CHICAGO - Freshman Hailey Merrill scored the first goal of her collegiate career this evening as the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team defeated Northern Iowa, 1-0, at Loyola Soccer Park. With the victory, the Ramblers guarantee themselves a spot in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference postseason tournament.
"I thought in the first half we played very well," said Loyola head women's soccer coach Barry Bimbi. "We got possession of the ball, got it moving really well and got the passes that we wanted to see which built up to a great goal. Tricia (Stonebraker) made the extra pass when she could've easily shot the ball and found Hailey (Merrill) who finished it. Overall, it's great to pick up a big three points and qualify for the tournament."
The visiting Panthers looked to be the more threatening side in the opening minutes of play, generating a pair of corners. Loyola's defense, as would be the theme for the evening, stood tall and cleared both away without allowing a shot.
Tricia Stonebraker, one of four seniors playing in their final regular season home game on Saturday evening, tallied Loyola's first shot on goal in the 17th minute but watched as Nicole Postel, the Panther goalkeeper, comfortably made the save. Stonebraker's attempt looked to wake up the Rambler attack though as the home side began to find its offensive rhythm. Junior Allison Shimer barely missed at the far post in the 29th minute before Merrill had her header saved at the near post by Postel.
It turned out to be only a matter of time before Merrill would find the back of the net on Saturday evening. Stonebraker delivered a pinpoint pass to her on the edge of the 18-yard box in the 41st minute. Merrill dribbled by her defender and into the box before firing a shot that Postel partially deflected but could not keep out of her goal for her first career tally that gave Loyola a well-deserved 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
Loyola turned to its defense in the second half and it refused to allow a let down. The Maroon & Gold frustrated Northern Iowa, allowing the Panthers only two shots in the closing 45 minutes. Junior Monica Gonyo easily corralled Sarah McHugh's shot in the 67th minute en route to her fifth shutout of the season and eighteenth of her career. Charlotte Jones had one final opportunity to force overtime for Northern Iowa but her header from just to the left of the penalty spot flew wide at the near post. The referee's final whistle sounded less than five minutes later, booking Loyola a trip to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.
Before conference tournament play begins, Loyola will have one final opportunity to improve upon its seeding on Thursday evening in Evansville, Ind. The Ramblers will take on the Evansville Purple Aces at 7 p.m. from Arad McCutchan Stadium.
