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Loyola University Chicago Athletics

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Jenna Szczesny Action
2
Indiana State IST (3-3-1 (0-1-0 MVC))
3
Winner Loyola Chicago LOY (4-3-0 (1-0-0 MVC))
Indiana State IST
(3-3-1 (0-1-0 MVC))
2
Final
3
Loyola Chicago LOY
(4-3-0 (1-0-0 MVC))
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Indiana State IST 0 2 2
Loyola Chicago LOY 1 2 3

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Ramblers Hold Off Indiana State In MVC Opener, 3-2

Goals from Grall, Szczesny, Tataryn propel Loyola to victory

Box Score (PDF)

In Short…
The Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team jumped out to a three-goal lead before withstanding a furious comeback to defeat visiting Indiana State by a final score of 3-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams tonight at Loyola Soccer Park.  With the win, the Ramblers improve to 4-3-0 overall (1-0-0 MVC), while the Sycamores fall to 3-3-1 (0-1-0 MVC).
 
How It Happened
Loyola came out firing on a cool evening in Rogers Park.  Sophomore Sienna Cruz and freshman Lindsey Hardiman each forced saves out of Indiana State goalkeeper Hannah Sullivan within the game's opening 10 minutes. 
 
The Ramblers were rewarded for their early persistence in the 26th minute when junior Madison Kimball sent a ball into the box that connected with senior Katie Grall.  Grall settled the pass before finding a sliding junior Jenna Szczesny, who chipped her attempt in at the far post to give the Maroon & Gold a 1-0 lead.  Loyola would take that edge into the locker room as it did not allow the Sycamores a shot in the opening 45 minutes of play.
 
Following an early stop by senior goalkeeper Maddie Ford, Loyola quickly added to its lead over a 2:23 span.  In the 52nd minute, a cross from freshman Jenna Ross found Grall.  The senior finished from inside the six-yard box to make it 2-0.  Loyola cashed in off a set piece just over two minutes later as sophomore Aleksa Tataryn headed a corner kick from senior Emily Lange over the line to up the advantage to 3-0.
 
Finding itself in a 3-0 hole, Indiana State added some late drama to the proceedings.  Katie Wells took advantage of a Rambler miscue in the 70th minute and slotted her try in at the far post to trim the Loyola lead to 3-1.  With less than nine minutes to play, Sydney Hamker clawed the visitors a goal closer, 3-2, as she headed a service from Katie Sullivan in at the near post.  Ford slammed the door shut from that point on, making two saves, as Loyola earned a valuable three points in the league standings.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Grall and Szczesny each scored their team-best fourth goals of the season as part of the victory.  Grall also added an assist that currently puts her on top of the team's scoring chart with nine points.
- Ross added her MVC leading sixth assist on Grall's tally.  She currently finds herself just one assist shy of tying Ashley Baron (2003) for fifth on Loyola's single-season record board in the category.
- Following tonight's three-goal performance, Loyola is now only three tallies shy of matching its scoring output from the entire 2016 campaign.
- Ford added three saves in goal, all of which came during the second half of play, en route to picking up her fourth victory of the season.
 
Up Next
Loyola faces a quick turnaround as it hits the road to clash with Iowa on Sunday afternoon.  Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. from the UI Soccer Complex in Iowa City, Iowa. 
 
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