In Short…
The Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team clinched at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title with a hard-fought 2-1 win over visiting Indiana State (3-10-2, 1-4-1 MVC) this evening at Loyola Soccer Park. The Ramblers, who have rattled off nine straight victories, now sit at 11-4-1 overall and 6-0-0 in Valley play.
Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"I'm very excited for the program. Being able to go back-to-back is a huge accomplishment in a very competitive conference. I'm really happy for our senior class. Tonight was the 40th win for their careers. They've really done a great job in learning about The Valley and dominating the regular season over the past couple of years."
How It Happened
Following an emotional pregame ceremony in which Loyola recognized its senior class, the Ramblers wasted no time in striking on a rain-soaked evening in Rogers Park. Following an Indiana State foul, senior
Madison Laudeman lofted a free kick into the box that sophomore
Abby Swanson directed past Tara Hoffman, the Sycamore netminder, to put the Maroon & Gold on top, 1-0, just under five minutes in.
Indiana State would answer back in the 24
th minute through Sidney Ewing. Celeste Wahlberg navigated through the middle third before finding Ewing, who tucked her attempt in at the far post from 12 yards out to put the Sycamores back on level terms, 1-1.
It took the Maroon & Gold all of 2:13 to provide a response, with senior
Aleksa Tataryn riffling home a one-time effort off of a centering feed from graduate student
Simone Wark to send the Ramblers back in front, 2-1, heading to halftime.
Loyola dominated the pace of play during the second stanza, consistently generating opportunities as the rain continued to fall. Senior
Savanah Cruz put her attempt over the crossbar in the 51
st minute, while Tataryn and senior
Sienna Cruz each misfired shortly thereafter. Laudeman looked to add a third for the Maroon & Gold in the 88
th minute, only to see her attempt cleared off the line by a Sycamore defender. The added insurance wouldn't be needed on the night however, as Loyola closed the show and celebrated its second straight regular season conference title before its home fans.
Looking At The Numbers
- Tonight's victory, the Ramblers' third straight over Indiana State, guarantees Loyola the top seed for the upcoming MVC Women's Soccer Championship.
- Swanson netted her second goal of the season in the fifth minute, while Tataryn's game-winning strike was her career-best seventh of the season.
- Loyola finished the night with a 17-4 advantage in shots and a 12-0 edge in corner kicks.
Up Next
Loyola looks to wrap up an outright Missouri Valley Conference title when it visits Evansville at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon in the regular season finale for both teams.
