In Short…
Freshman
Amanda Cassidy and senior
Aleksa Tataryn each found the back of the net as the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team grinded out a 2-0 win over Northern Illinois this evening at the NIU Soccer Complex in DeKalb, Ill. Tonight's victory brings the Ramblers to 3-4-1 on the year, while the Huskies slide to 1-3-1.
Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"It's nice to come on the road and get a win against an organized team. I thought we were solid tonight in transition to contain them, but it also led to us being dangerous in the final third."
How It Happened
Loyola wasted no time in going on the attack, with graduate student
Simone Wark and freshman
Megan Nemec forcing saves out of Northern Illinois goalkeeper Megan Donnally inside the opening six minutes of play. On the other end, sophomore goalkeeper
Maddie Hausmann was called into action just past the quarter-hour mark, denying Amanda Czerniak.
The Ramblers continued to see the better of the chances as the half progressed, pinning Northern Illinois back in its own third. Cassidy broke the scoreless stalemate in the 36
th minute, letting fly with a blast from 25 yards out that found its way into the top corner at Donnally's near post to send Loyola racing into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Northern Illinois began to find its footing in the second half, but struggled to break down a well-organized Loyola defense. A Huskie corner kick in the 74
th minute led to a scramble in front of goal, with the Ramblers ultimately clearing away to protect their lead.
With time beginning to tick away, the duo of Tataryn and Nemec joined forces to provide an insurance goal. Nemec chased down a bounding ball before sending a cross into the box that found the feet of Tataryn. The senior did the rest, firing home from 15 yards out to seal a 2-0 road triumph.
Looking At The Numbers
- Cassidy became the fourth different Rambler to tally a goal this season following her game-winning tally in the first half.
- Tataryn's goal in the second half was her team-best fourth of the season.
- Hausmann closed the evening with one save as Loyola picked up its first shutout of the season.
Up Next
Loyola wraps up non-conference play with a two-game road trip through Michigan next week. The Ramblers will take on Western Michigan on Friday at 3 p.m. (CT), before a 12 p.m. Sunday afternoon matinee against Eastern Michigan.