Loyola Game Notes | ESPN+ (subscription required) vs. UMass Lowell | Live Stats vs. UMass Lowell | ACC Network Extra vs. Notre Dame | Live Stats vs. Notre Dame
CHICAGO (August 15, 2018) – Following the completion of its three-game preseason slate, the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team will officially open the 2018 season this weekend. The Ramblers host UMass Lowell at Loyola Soccer Park on Friday evening at 7 p.m. before a 1 p.m. (CT) road test against No. 14/19 Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon.
2018 Preview: Head coach
Barry Bimbi, now set to begin his eighth season in charge in Rogers Park, welcomes back 19 letterwinners and eight starters from last season's team that finished 13-7-0 (4-3-0 MVC) and ranked second in the nation in goals scored (61). Leading the way for that group is the quartet of senior
Jenna Szczesny (14 goals, 5 assists in 2017), junior
Sienna Cruz (6 goals, 1 assist in 2017) and sophomores
Lindsey Hardiman (2 goals in 2017) and
Jenna Ross (8 assists in 2017). Szczesny and Cruz both earned First Team All-MVC accolades, while Hardiman and Ross were selected to the Valley's All-Freshman Team.
vs. UMass Lowell: Under the direction of interim head coach Mira Novak, UMass Lowell was picked to finish seventh in the America East Women's Soccer Preseason Poll after finishing the 2017 campaign 5-6-6 overall (2-3-3 AE). The River Hawks are led in the offensive third by Rachel Morrier, who accounted for 11 of the team's 14 goals last season en route to being named a First Team All-America East selection. 2017 Second Team All-America East honoree Julia Schneider will look to again anchor the team's defensive unit after starting in 16 games in goal last season as she closed the year with a sparkling 0.85 goals against average.
vs. Notre Dame: Head coach Nate Norman enters his first season in charge for a Notre Dame side that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament as it finished the season at 10-7-5 (5-3-2 ACC). The Fighting Irish, who were voted to finish seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Poll, enter the year slotted at No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 and No. 19 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 25. 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-East Region honoree Jennifer Westendorf returns to lead the attack after racking up 10 goals and seven assists last season. Goalkeeper Brooke Littman will look to build on a strong sophomore season in which she saw action in 10 games and sported a 0.94 goals against average. Notre Dame will open the 2018 season on Thursday night when it hosts Central Michigan.
Series Stuff: Friday's home opener will mark the first meeting between Loyola and UMass Lowell in women's soccer. The Ramblers' lone matchup against a current America East Conference foe came back on October 28, 1994 when they blanked Maine by a final count of 1-0. Loyola and Notre Dame will meet for the seventh time on Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Irish have dominated the all-time series, winning each of the previous six matchups and outscoring the Ramblers by a combined count of 42-0.
Up Next: Loyola heads west to California next weekend, where it will matchup against Loyola Marymount (August 24) and CSU Bakersfield (August 26).
