CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (August 17, 2023) – The Loyola Chicago women's soccer team kicked off the 2023 season Thursday night down state at Illinois. The Ramblers answered all but one goal from the Fighting Illini who escaped with a 3-2 win in the opener.
 
"There were a lot of positives to take out of today," said head coach Barry Bimbi. "At the end of the day we don't want to give up three goals, so there are definitely some things to clean up. We were chasing the game there at the end, but credit to our girls. They responded and got the goal to give us a chance there to get a tie. I think we're just going to grow and get better as the season progresses."
 
How It Happened
The Illini attacked early Thursday forcing Naya Lipkens to make a stop just 44 seconds into action. They didn't let up netting their first goal of the night at the 8:23 mark off the foot of Makena Silber.
 
Less than 10 minutes later, Taylor Harrison had an answer for the Ramblers to knot the match 1-1. Olivia Rhodes crossed into the center of the box to Harrison who slid to meet the ball and strike with her left foot for the equalizer in the 16^th minute.
 
Illinois would put away its next attempt at the 30:34 mark. Maeve Jones capitalized on a fast break up the middle of the field. Sarah Foley fed her the ball for a wide-open look, and the Illini held a 2-1 edge at halftime.
 
The second half action was reserved for the final five minutes of the match. Mya Archibald made it a 3-1 Illini lead in the 85^th minute on a corner kick. Despite the late goal, the Ramblers refused to back down with a goal less than a minute later from Zoe Hevey.
 
The last Loyola burst would fall short without another opportunity on goal leading to a 3-2 Illinois win in Champaign Thursday night.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Harrison's goal is Loyola's first of the season and eighth of her career.
- Hevey led Loyola's attack with three shots. She took two on goal with her first collegiate goal coming in the 86^th minute.
- Jaimee Cibulka and Olivia Rhodes finished with a point each tallying assists.
- The Illini outshot the Ramblers, 12-10. They took two more attempts on goal, 6-4.
- In goal, Lipkens made three stops and falls to 0-1.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers will open their home slate with Kansas on Sunday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Loyola Soccer Park.