CHICAGO (April 17, 2021) – Coming off a thrilling victory earlier in the week, the Loyola University women's soccer team (7-1-1, 6-1-1 MVC) will look to secure it third straight Missouri Valley Conference title when it hosts Valparaiso in the MVC Championship crown game on Sunday afternoon at Loyola Soccer Park.  Kickoff between the top-seeded Ramblers and third-seeded Brown & Gold is set for 1 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: Senior Lindsey Hardiman scored just under three minutes into the second overtime to push Loyola past Illinois State, 2-1, this past Wednesday in the semifinals of the MVC Championship in Rogers Park.  Sophomore Kyrsten Pellikan opened the scoring in the 37^th minute, tallying her first career goal, before Riley O'Brien pulled the Redbirds level in the 84^th minute, forcing overtime.  Hardiman's provided the game's deciding strike in the 103^rd minute, depositing the rebound of sophomore Megan Nemec's attempt into the back of the net to book Loyola's spot in the final.
 
vs. Valparaiso: Valparaiso enters Sunday's title game riding a four-game unbeaten run that dates back to a 2-1 win over Missouri State back on April 3. Sitting at 5-3-5 on the year, the Brown & Gold finished third in The Valley standings after going 3-2-3 in league action.  13th-year head coach John Marovich's team is making its first appearance in the MVC final following a 1-0 double-overtime win over second-seeded Indiana State this past Wednesday in Terre Haute, Ind.  Lindsey Dusatko fired home the game-winning goal with just 62 seconds remaining in the second extra session. 
 
Valparaiso features a quartet of All-Missouri Valley Conference honorees, led by MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Nikki Coryell.  Coryell, who also earned a First Team All-Valley nod, ranks in the top 25 nationally in shutouts (9th; 7) and goals against average (27th; 0.49).  Kiley Dugan and Keegan Maris joined Coryell as a First Team All-MVC honorees.  Kelsie James, who, along with Coryell, earned MVC All-Freshman Team accolades, is Valparaiso's overall points leader with three goals and two assists to her name this season.
 
Series Stuff: Loyola will be in search of its fourth straight win over Valparaiso in Sunday's MVC Championship title game.  The Ramblers hold a 19-9-1 (.672) advantage in the previous 29 meetings, seven of which came when the two programs were members of the Horizon League from 2007-12. 
 
When Loyola and Valparaiso met back on March 13 at Brown Field in Valparaiso, Ind., a goal in the 41st minute by freshman Madeleine Barone was the difference in a 1-0 victory for the Maroon & Gold.  The Ramblers turned in a dominant defensive showing in the win, limiting Valparaiso to just one shot over 90 minutes.
 
Up Next: The winner of Sunday's MVC Championship title game will claim The Valley's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which is set to begin April 27-28.