In Short…
Host Illinois State used a three-goal outburst during the second half to create separation as it handed the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team a 5-3 defeat this evening at Adelaide Street Field in Normal, Ill.  Following tonight's result, the Redbirds improve to 8-5-2 (2-1-0 MVC), while the Ramblers drop to 10-5-0 (3-2-0 MVC).
 
How It Happened
Senior goalkeeper Maddie Ford was called into action early as she turned away Jessica Denney in the ninth minute.  Illinois State would dictate the pace of play in half's middle stages but Loyola's defense would stand strong.  Sophomore Sienna Cruz made the most of Loyola's first shot of the night in the 25^th minute when, following a scramble inside the six-yard box, she poked her attempt over the line to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.
 
The hosts would answer back with a pair of goals over a 2:25 span.  Mikayla Unger put the Redbirds on the board in the 31^st minute before Emily Dickman sent Illinois State in front, 2-1, shortly after.  Senior Katie Grall provided a response with just over five minutes remaining in the first half when she sent a cross into the box that carried over Illinois State goalkeeper Hayley Smith and in at the far post to pull the Maroon & Gold level, 2-2, heading into halftime.
 
Illinois State surged back ahead a minute into the second stanza as Unger dispatched a pass from Kelli Zickert in to make it 3-2.  Ford responded seconds later with a stop of Denney to keep the Ramblers within one.  Sophomore Madison Laudeman looked to put Loyola back on level terms in the 56^th minute, only to send her headed attempt off of a corner kick by junior Taylor Lambouris over the crossbar.
 
As was the case in the first half, Illinois State would connect for two goals in rapid succession to add insurance.  Kate Del Fava pushed the margin to 4-2 off of a corner kick in the 68^th minute.  Natalie Vaughn-Low would go on to add a fifth for the Redbirds 34 seconds later.  Cruz netted her second goal of the night in the 84^th minute, heading a pass from freshman Kat Stephens past a diving Smith, but that would prove to be the end of the Loyola comeback as Illinois State held on for a 5-3 triumph. 
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Cruz's two-goal performance, her second of the season, brings her season goal total to six. 
- Grall added her eighth goal of the campaign on her lone attempt of the night during the first half.
- Ford closed the evening with five saves in goal.
- Illinois State was led on the night by the pairing of Unger and Zickert.  Unger netted a pair of tallies, while Zickert dished out three assists.
 
Up Next
Loyola heads to Lexington, Ky. on Sunday afternoon to wrap up non-conference play against Kentucky at 1 p.m. (CT).