VALPARAISO, Ind. (March 13, 2021)
 
In Short…
Freshman Madeleine Barone tallied her first collegiate goal to highlight another strong performance by the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team (3-0-1, 3-0-1 MVC), as it picked up a 1-0 win over host Valparaiso (2-2-2, 1-1-1 MVC) this afternoon at Brown Field in Valparaiso, Ind.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"We had a bit of a slow start to the first half, but a lot of credit goes to (Valparaiso head coach) John (Marovich) and his staff for having his team organized and ready to play.  Once we scored the goal at the end of the first half, we played the remaining portion of the game on our front foot and created a lot of quality scoring chances.  We're growing as a group each week as the younger players are learning the college game, while our older players are finding their voices in leading them."
 
How It Happened
After a slow start for both sides, senior Lindsey Hardiman tallied the first shot of the afternoon 12 minutes in, forcing a comfortable save out of Valparaiso goalkeeper Nikki Coryell.  The hosts responded with their lone attempt of the day in the 18^th minute, as Kelsie James fired just high of goal.  Sophomore Amanda Cassidy came dangerously close to putting Loyola on the board in the following minutes, directing her attempt off a Rambler corner kick towards the near post, only for it to be cleared away by a Valparaiso defender.
 
Loyola continued to press forward as time wore on in the first half, and was rewarded in the 41^st minute.  Senior Megan Nemec raced down a loose ball and fed an onrushing Barone, who directed her one-time effort from 15 yards out past Coryell at her near post to give Loyola a 1-0 lead that it would take into halftime.
 
The Maroon & Gold picking up right where they left off coming out of the intermission, dictating the pace of play in the second half as they consistently pinned Valparaiso back in its own third.  Senior Katharine Stephens and freshman Olivia Rhodes were both denied by Coryell in the half's opening 10 minutes. 
 
Junior Abby Swanson looked to have doubled Loyola's lead in the 78^th minute when she unleashed a blast that cleared Coryell but struck the crossbar, as it remained a one-goal game.  Loyola continued to press the issue as time wore down, with Rhodes and Nemec both seeing the one-on-one chances parried away by the Valparaiso netminder.  The hosts were unable to solve a well-organized Rambler defensive unit though, as Loyola extended its season-opening unbeaten run to four games.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Barone is now the third different Rambler to find the back of the net this season following her first career goal this afternoon.
- Loyola closed the day with a dominant 23-1 advantage in shots, highlighted by a 16-0 edge in the category in the second half.
- The Ramblers finished with eight shots on goal.
- Valparaiso was held without an attempt on target as Loyola picked up its fourth consecutive shutout to open its spring season.
 
Up Next
Loyola is back in action on Sunday, March 21 when it hosts Illinois State at 1 p.m. inside the Mercyhealth Sportscore Two in Loves Park, Ill.