CHICAGO (March 21, 2021)
 
In Short…
Loyola University Chicago (4-0-1, 4-0-1 MVC) raced out a two-goal lead in the first half en route to a defeating visiting Illinois State (2-5-0, 2-3-0 MVC) by a final margin of 3-2 in its 2021 debut at Loyola Soccer Park this afternoon.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"As a coach, I couldn't ask for anything more.  We talked a lot about pressing them and putting them under pressure, but were also focused on our mentality of starting games a little bit faster and getting an early goal to stretch the game.  I was proud of the way the girls responded after giving up the equalizer in going back up."
 
How It Happened
Loyola wasted no time in jumping in front on a perfect day for soccer in Rogers Park.  Sophomore Megan Nemec fed senior Katharine Stephens, who slotted past Illinois State goalkeeper Priya Gillan just 20 seconds in to put the Ramblers on top, 1-0.  The Redbirds answered back in the ninth minute when Sarah Lafayette headed through traffic at the near post, seeing her attempt narrowly trickle over the line to knot the game up at 1-1.
 
The sophomore pairing of Olivia Knab and Amanda Cassidy gave Loyola some breathing room in the half's middle stages.  In the 25^th minute, Knab vaulted Loyola back in front, depositing a feed from Cassidy off an Illinois State defender and into the back of the net to make it 2-1.  Cassidy added a tally of her own three minutes later, slicing a flick on from senior Freya Glen past Gillan to double the lead, 3-1.  Illinois State added a bit of drama heading to halftime when Riley O'Brien sent a Rambler miscue into the back of the net, pulling the visitors within one, 3-2, at the intermission.
 
Loyola went right back to work in the second half, hoping to reestablish a two-goal edge, as senior Lindsey Hardiman and Nemec both were turned away by Gillan.  Junior Abby Swanson sent her attempt high in the 68^th minute as time began to wind down.
 
Senior Jenna Ross came up with arguably the day's biggest play in the 79^th minute.  Illinois State's Logan Zigler sized up a one-on-one look at the Loyola net, only for Ross to race in and block her shot, preserving the Maroon & Gold's lead as the Ramblers closed out a 3-2 win.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Both Stephens and Cassidy recorded their first goals of the 2021 spring season today, while Knab tallied her second of the year.
- Glen's assist on Cassidy's game-winner brings her overall point total on the year to six, a mark that leads the Rambler roster.
- Loyola closed the day with an 11-7 edge in shots and a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Grace Droessler collected one save as she earned her first win of the year.
 
Up Next
Loyola heads to Terre Haute, Ind. on Wednesday, March 24 for a midweek matinee with Indiana State at 12 p.m. (CT).