MACOMB, Ill. (September 4, 2022)
 
In Short…
Four different Ramblers found the back of the net as the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team (3-2-1) used a dominant second-half showing to record a resounding 4-1 win over Western Illinois (0-2-3) this afternoon at Alumni Field in Macomb, Ill.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"Great response from the group after giving up the opening goal.  Sunday games on the road are always tough, so I'm happy with the result and specifically the performance during the second half."
 
How It Happened
The opening minutes featured end-to-end action on a muggy and overcast afternoon.  Madeleine Barone had visions of giving the Ramblers the lead just 23 seconds in, firing wide of goal, before Naya Lipkens was called into action shortly after at the other end, denying Alex Bassen's attempt.  Western Illinois looked to strike on the counterattack at the quarter-hour mark, as Bailey Burningham teed up an attempt from left of the penalty spot, only to direct her try into Lipkens' waiting arms. 
 
The Leathernecks' persistence paid off only two minutes later, as Olivia Heinert converted from the edge of the six-yard box to stake the hosts to a 1-0 lead.
 
As the half wore on, Loyola began to ask more questions of Western Illinois goalkeeper Isabel Navas Rodriguez and the Leatherneck defensive unit.  Jaimee Cibulka saw her shot from the top of the box stoned by Rodriguez in the 30^th minute before Amanda Cassidy narrowly missed tucking her effort inside the far post in the 34^th minute.
 
Loyola found its equalizer off a set piece in the 36^th minute.  Olivia Knab sent a corner kick towards the back post that ultimately found Corissa Koontz, who bested Rodriguez to put the Ramblers back on level terms at halftime, 1-1.
 
The Maroon & Gold controlled the pace of play for the majority of the second half, routinely pressuring the hosts.  Barone had a golden opportunity to put Loyola on top in the 68^th minute when she had an uncontested look at Rodriguez, firing high of her crossbar.
 
Loyola took control for the afternoon with three goals over a 6:51 span in the second half.  Megan Nemec started the avalanche in the 75^th minute, rifling home a centering feed from Barone to give the Ramblers a 2-1 lead.  Taylor Harrison added on in the 80^th minute, heading in from close range to make it 3-1.  Cassidy went on to provide the exclamation point two minutes later, directing in at the near post as the lead ballooned to the final 4-1 scoreline.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Today's victory marked Loyola's first win of the season when it has conceded the opening goal.
- The Ramblers' four goals scored this afternoon are a season high.
- Koontz tallied the first goal of her career in the first half, becoming the first member of Loyola's freshman class to get on the scoresheet in the process.
- Nemec, Harrison, and Cassidy each added their second goals of the season during the second half.
- Barone was credited with her team-best third assist on Nemec's game-winning tally.
- After outshooting the Leathernecks by a 15-7 margin in the first half, Loyola finished with a dominant 13-2 advantage in the category during the final 45 minutes.
- Lipkens tallied five saves in goal, four of which came in the first half, en route to her third win of the season.
 
Up Next
Loyola returns to the friendly confines of Loyola Soccer Park on Thursday, September 8 to play host to DePaul in the latest installment of the Red Line Rivalry.  Following its matchup with the Blue Demons, the Ramblers will visit Illinois for their non-conference finale on Sunday, September 11.