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Loyola University Chicago Athletics

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Megan Nemec
Steve Woltmann Photo
1
Loyola Chicago LOY (1-3-0, 0-0-0)
2
Winner Ball State BSU (4-0-0, 0-0-0)
Loyola Chicago LOY
(1-3-0, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
Ball State BSU
(4-0-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Loyola Chicago LOY 0 1 1
Ball State BSU 1 1 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Loyola’s Late Rally Falls Short At Ball State, 2-1

Megan Nemec nets first collegiate goal in defeat

In Short…
The Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team put together a furious second-half charge, but ultimately came up just short against host Ball State, 2-1, this afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex in Muncie, Ind.  Today's result sees the Cardinals continue their perfect start to the 2019 campaign at 4-0-0, while the Ramblers slip to 1-3-0.
 
Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"We're learning a lot about our group with each game.  The performance was great today, but they won the set piece battle, an area we need to improve on this week, and that was the difference."
 
How It Happened
Following nearly a two-hour delay to kickoff due to inclement weather, Tatiana Mason came close to putting Ball State in front just 42 seconds in, pushing her attempt just wide of sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Hausmann's far post.  Hausmann stepped up to record her first save of the afternoon in the 10th minute as she collected Melissa Diceman's shot.
 
The Cardinals cashed in for the day's opening goal just 15 minutes later.  Following a Rambler foul, Emily Simmons sent a free kick into the box that connected with a leaping Grace Alsop, who headed back across the face of goal and in to put the hosts in front, 1-0.  Senior Ari Banks and junior Katharine Stephens both generated chances in the minutes following, but Ball State goalkeeper Tristin Stuteville kept both out of the back of the net to protect the Cardinals' lead entering halftime.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Grace Droessler, who entered following the intermission, came up with a highlight-reel stop seven minutes into the second half when she left her feet to tip Tatiana Hawkins-Dabney's shot over the crossbar.  Loyola continued to push forward in search of an equalizer as time wore on.  Stephens took aim with a spirited left-footed effort from 20 yards out just past the hour mark, only to see Stuteville step in front to collect.
 
Hawkins-Dabney provided Ball State with some insurance in the 67th minute, sneaking her attempt pass Droessler to make it 2-0.  Loyola continued to push forward, with senior Madison Laudeman heading just wide of the top corner off a corner kick in the 79th minute.  Freshman Megan Nemec found the Maroon & Gold's breakthrough with less than five minutes to play, directing senior Savanah Cruz's cross past a sprawling Stuteville to cut the margin to 2-1.  The afternoon's final chance fell to Swanson, who unleashed a blast with time winding down that was pushed aside by Stuteville, sealing Ball State's fourth consecutive victory to open the season.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Nemec capped off an impressive two-game stretch with her first collegiate tally this afternoon.  The Tinley Park, Ill. native closed the weekend with a goal and two assists to move into a tie for first on the Rambler roster in overall points with four.
- Nemec's goal also brought an end to Ball State's season-opening run of just over 356 minutes without allowing an opposition to score.
- The Ramblers closed the afternoon with advantages in shots (15-10), shots on goal (8-6) and corner kicks (9-2).
- Hausmann and Droessler combined for four saves in their 90 minutes of action, with Droessler turning away three shots in the second half.
 
Up Next
Loyola is back at Loyola Soccer Park on Thursday night when it plays host to No. 15 Wisconsin at 7 p.m.
 
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