In Short…
Olivia Bruce scored with three minutes remaining in the first half to send host Drake past the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team, 1-0, this evening at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa. The Bulldogs, who extended their unbeaten run to 12 games with the win, improve to 13-3-2 (6-0-1 MVC), while the Ramblers slip to 12-6-0 (4-3-0 MVC).
How It Happened
Opportunities for Loyola came at a premium in the opening 45 minutes as the Ramblers went directly into a stiff wind. Senior goalkeeper
Maddie Ford came up with her first stop of the game in the 28
th minute, smothering Annie Schmitz's shot at her far post. Ford came up big again in the 36
th minute when she collected Kasey Hurt's free kick from 25 yards out.
The duo of Bruce and Cassie Rohan combined to put Drake in front in the 42
nd minute. Rohan sent a cross from the edge of the 18-yard box that Bruce headed past a sprawling Ford to send the Bulldogs into halftime with a 1-0 edge.
Senior
Emily Lange tallied Loyola's first shot on goal of the evening four minutes into the second stanza, forcing a stop of Drake goalkeeper Haley Morris. Ford continued to keep the Ramblers in the mix as she denied attempts from Schmitz and Hurt, respectively.
Junior
Jenna Szczesny nearly put the Ramblers back on level terms in the 69
th minute of play but was unable to keep her blast off of a corner kick from fellow junior
Taylor Lambouris under the bar. Lambouris came up with a key stop on the other end just 10 minutes later, clearing Brooke Salisbury's headed effort off the line, before unleashing a free kick that was collected by Morris in the 81
st minute. That would prove to be Loyola's final chance of the evening as Drake closed out a 1-0 win before its home fans.
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola's potent offensive attack was kept under wraps today by a stout Drake defense that allowed the Ramblers only four shots.
- Lange led the Maroon & Gold with a team-high two attempts, both of which were on target.
- Ford turned in a strong showing in goal, closing the game with five saves.
Up Next
Loyola will open play in the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Soccer Championship as the No. 3 seed and will host sixth-seeded Valparaiso at 1 p.m. in an opening-round matchup on Sunday afternoon at Loyola Soccer Park.
