CHICAGO (November 9, 2019) – The Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team will look to secure its second straight Missouri Valley Conference tournament title on Sunday afternoon when it takes on Illinois State in the final of the MVC Women's Soccer Championship.  Kickoff between the top-seeded Ramblers and second-seeded Redbirds is slated for 1 p.m. from Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium in Springfield, Mo.
 
Last Time Out: A goal in the first half from senior Sienna Cruz proved to be the difference as Loyola downed fourth-seeded Drake, 1-0, in a semifinal-round clash on Friday evening.  Cruz headed home her third goal of the year off a corner from fellow senior Aleksa Tataryn just over 15 minutes in.  The Rambler defensive unit turned in another standout showing, limiting Drake to just two shots on the night en route to its eighth shutout of the year.
 
vs. Illinois State: Illinois State (14-5-0, 6-1-0 MVC) booked its ticket to Sunday's final by virtue of a thrilling 4-3 overtime win over third-seeded Missouri State on Friday.  Natalie Vaughn-Low scored the game-winning goal five minutes into the first overtime for the Redbirds, who squandered a 3-1 second-half lead before prevailing in the first extra session.  Head coach Brad Silvey's team is led by reigning MVC Player of the Year Kate Del Fava.  Del Fava found the back of the net twice in the Redbirds' win over Missouri State to bring her Valley-best total to 17, a mark that ranks in the top 10 nationally.  The pairing of Vaughn-Low (seven goals, five assists) and Abby Basler (four goals, six assists) also provide support up top for an Illinois State attack that averages an MVC-best 2.21 goals per game.  First Team All-MVC honoree Haley Smith has started in all 18 of her appearances in goal and sports a 1.18 goals against average. Smith has a Valley-high nine shutouts to her name.
 
Series Stuff: Sunday's conference title game will be the 21st meeting between Loyola and Illinois State in women's soccer.  The Redbirds hold a 14-6-0 (.700) lead in the all-time series, but Loyola has prevailed in the last two encounters, including a 2-1 win in the semifinals of last season's MVC Women's Soccer Championship.  When the two teams clashed back on October 20 at Adelaide Street Field in Normal, Ill., Loyola jumped out to an early lead en route to an impressive 4-1 victory over Illinois State.  Graduate student Simone Wark found the back of the net twice in the win, while Cruz and Tataryn each added goals as well.  Freshman Grace Droessler recorded a season-high eight saves in goal to lead the Ramblers' defensive efforts.
 
Up Next: The winner of Sunday's MVC Championship game will secure The Valley's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 15.