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Loyola University Chicago Athletics

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Women's Soccer Team Celebration
0
Drake DRA (8-10-1, 4-3-0)
1
Winner Loyola Chicago LUC (13-4-1, 7-0-0)
Drake DRA
(8-10-1, 4-3-0)
0
Final
1
Loyola Chicago LUC
(13-4-1, 7-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Drake DRA 0 0 0
Loyola Chicago LUC 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Cruz Sends Loyola Past Drake, Into MVC Championship Game, 1-0

Ramblers to take on Illinois State in Sunday’s final

In Short…
A first-half goal from senior Sienna Cruz and another stout defensive effort was enough to send the top-seeded Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team past fourth-seeded Drake (8-10-1, 4-3-0 MVC) by a final count of 1-0 in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Soccer Championship.  Tonight's result from Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium in Springfield, Mo. sees the Ramblers, who have now won 11 straight games, move to 13-4-1 overall (7-0-0 MVC).
 
Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"Our group is so resilient.  After a slow start, we found our footing in the game and Sienna scored a great goal.  The second half was one of our best of the year as far as shutting down an opponent, and we created some quality scoring chances."
 
How It Happened
Loyola wasted no time in looking to take control on a chilly evening in the Ozarks that saw temperatures in the high 30s at kickoff.  Junior Lindsey Hardiman forced a save out of Drake goalkeeper Kelsie Stone in the fifth minute before Cruz fired high of goal just over a minute after.
 
The Maroon & Gold cashed in just past the quarter-hour mark through the senior pairing of Cruz and Aleksa Tataryn.  Tataryn sent a corner kick in front of goal that found its way to an unmarked Cruz, who headed in from close range to give Loyola a well-deserved 1-0 lead.  Graduate student Simone Wark nearly doubled the advantage in the 41st minute, but pulled her attempt just wide of Stone's far post as Loyola was forced to settle for a one-goal edge at the intermission.
 
Drake tallied its only attempt on target of the evening six minutes into the second stanza, with freshman goalkeeper Grace Droessler routinely securing Shelley Lyjak's attempt.  Loyola had a pair of chances around the hour mark, with both Sienna and Savanah Cruz heading off target.
 
With time becoming of the essence for the Bulldogs, Loyola continued to dictate the pace of play.  Cruz had a chance to notch her second goal of the game and eliminate any doubt in the 85th minute when she directed a cross on target, only to see Stone turn in what was arguably her top save of the game to keep a glimmer of hope alive for the Bulldogs.  Loyola would go on to close out the game from there, keeping Drake pinned back in its own third as it secured its second straight berth in the conference championship game.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Cruz's first-half goal, which proved to be the game-winner, upped her season goal total to three.
- Tataryn was credited with her first assist of the year on Cruz's tally.
- Loyola finished the night with a dominant 13-2 edge in shots, putting six of its attempts on target.  The Ramblers are now 12-1-0 (.923) this season when outshooting their opponents.
- Droessler had a relatively quiet night in goal, making one save, as Loyola posted its eighth shutout of 2019.
 
Up Next
Following this evening's victory, Loyola moves on to battle second-seeded Illinois State on Sunday afternoon in the final of the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Soccer Championship, with the winner securing The Valley's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  Kickoff from Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
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