CHICAGO (August 21, 2022)
 
In Short…
Madeline Schlecht found the back of the net off a set piece in the 52^nd minute as Miami (Ohio) escaped Loyola Soccer Park this afternoon with a 1-0 win over the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team.  Today's result sees the Redhawks move to 1-0-1, while the Ramblers slip to 1-1-0.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts...
"I thought we played well today, but lacked urgency and quality in the final third.  Tons of credit to (Miami Head Coach) Courtney (Sirmans) and her team for competing for 90 minutes and earning the win.  We'll get back to work this week and refocus for our next game against a very talented Wisconsin team."

How It Happened
Loyola came out on the front foot playing before its home crown for the first time in 2022, routinely pinning the visitors back in their own third of the field.  Olivia Knab forced a pair of stops out of Miami goalkeeper Izzie Vaccari inside the opening quarter hour.
 
Megan Nemec made a bid for her first goal of the new campaign in the 29^th minute, putting her attempt just wide of Vaccari's near post.  Sarah Noonan and Amanda Cassidy both saw their tries go array shortly after as Loyola, despite holding an 7-1 advantage in shots during the first half, found itself in a 0-0 stalemate at halftime for the second time in as many games.
 
Schlecht struck for the afternoon's deciding goal just over six minutes after the intermission.  Camber Hayes lofted a corner kick towards the back post that found an unmarked Schlecht, who sent her right-footed volley into the back of the net to put the Redhawks in front, 1-0.
 
Finding itself staring at a deficit as time began to wind down, Loyola pressed forward.  Taylor Harrison fired high of goal in the 59^th minute before seeing another try stopped by Vacarri just over 10 minutes later.  Jada Holloman had designs on putting home the equalizer in the 85^th minute, only to see her rolling effort narrowly miss the far post.  Nemec tested Vaccari one final time in the closing stages, but her attempt from 25 yards out was corralled by the Redhawks' netminder as Miami held on for a road victory.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola finished the afternoon with a staggering 14-2 lead in shots.
- Knab and Harrison paced the Maroon & Gold with three attempts apiece.
- Vaccari led Miami's defensive efforts with five saves en route to her second straight shutout.
 
Up Next
Loyola is back on the road this coming week with matchups against Wisconsin (August 25) and SIUE (August 28) on the docket.