CHICAGO (September 8, 2022)
In Short…
Sarah Noonan netted a pair of goals, the second of which came with less than five minutes remaining, to send the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team past DePaul, 2-1, this evening at Loyola Soccer Park. Tonight's win, Loyola's second in as many games, moves the Ramblers to 4-2-1 overall.
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"It's always nice to win games. We kind of got into our grove a little bit in the second half and created some chances, but we lost focus. At the end of the day, we talk to the girls about how winning at this level is very hard and you can't lose focus. I'm most happy about our team's response tonight. They fought, thought there was another chance in it, and Sarah showed great composure on the game-winner."
How It Happened
DePaul threatened to bag the night's opening goal just 65 seconds in, with Beth Smyth forcing a close-range stop out of Loyola goalkeeper
Naya Lipkens at her near post.
Megan Nemec looked to provide a response in the 17
th minute, unleashing a right-footed effort that was collected by DePaul netminder Mollie Eriksson.
Nemec found herself involved in the night's opening goal in the 23
rd minute, tight roping the endline before sending a cross in front of goal that found Noonan, who directed past Eriksson to put the Ramblers on top, 1-0.
Madeleine Barone threated to double the lead with less than four minutes to play in the half, only to see a pair of tries denied by Elena Milam, who was substituted in following an injury to Eriksson. Lipkens added another stop in the 43
rd minute, parrying away Kirstin Boos' one-timer to keep Loyola's 1-0 lead intact at halftime.
Susie Soderstrom attempted to put the Blue Demons back on level terms nine minutes after the restart, taking aim from 20 yards out with a shot that skipped into Lipkens waiting arms. Loyola thought it had added a much-needed insurance goal in the 73
rd minute, putting the ball into the back of the DePaul net, only for the offside flag to raise.
The visitors made the most of a chance in the 78
th minute to knot things up. A deflected clearance inside the Rambler 18-yard box ultimately fell to Smyth, who didn't hesitate from six yards out as she tucked her shot in at the near post to tie the game at 1-1.
Noonan provided the heroics for the evening in the 86
th minute of play. Following a spirited run down the right side by
Amanda Cassidy, a centering pass connected with Noonan. The junior did the rest, rifling her attempt through traffic and in at the far post to make it 2-1 and seal the Ramblers' second win over their rival to the south in as many years.
Looking At The Numbers
- Following tonight's victory, Loyola now owns an 11-9-2 (.545) lead in its all-time series with DePaul.
- Noonan, who entered the night with one goal to her name at Loyola, posted the first two-goal outing for a Rambler this season.
- Nemec was credited with her second assist of the year on Noonan's opener, while Cassidy added her first helper on the night's deciding strike.
- Loyola finished with a slim 13-10 advantage in shots, putting eight tries on target.
- Lipkens posted three saves in goal for the Ramblers.
Up Next
Loyola wraps up non-conference play by visiting Illinois on Sunday, September 11. Kickoff at Demirjian Park in Champaign, Ill. is scheduled for 1 p.m.
