CHICAGO (August 20, 2023) – Amanda Cassidy netted her first goal of the 2023 season Sunday afternoon in Loyola Chicago's home opener. It gave the Ramblers and early 1-0 lead over Kansas, but the Jayhawks did not falter and found the back of the net four times to take a 4-1 win.
 
"Amanda's been good in our first two games," said head coach Barry Bimbi. "Defensively, she is covering a ton of ground, she's winning tackles, and completing passes. We were working on some free kicks this week at the end of practice, and she was walking away from the opportunity. I told her to get over to the ball, and she finished it really nicely. It's her confidence as a fifth year. She's leading by example."
 
With the loss, Loyola falls to 0-2-0.
 
How It Happened
The first half was a defensive battle on the pitch with both goalkeepers coming up with big saves to keep it deadlocked at halftime. Naya Lipkens made her first big stop of the match in the 7^th minute, while Cassidy registered her first attempt on goal ten minutes later forcing a save from Melania Pasar.
 
In the 26^th minute, Hallie Klanke nearly headed a ball past Lipkens, but she saved it in the right corner to keep it scoreless. The Jayhawks would get one final look in the 44^th minute. Lipkens was able to punch it away, and the match remained tied at the break.
 
After halftime, both teams found a spark combining for three shots on goal in the first two minutes. The Ramblers were finally able to break through the Kansas wall with a goal in the 57^th minute. Cassidy set up for a free kick 15 yards out after a Jayhawk foul and sunk the goal high right for a 1-0 Rambler lead.
 
Two minutes later, Kansas had a response off the foot of Lexi Watts. Klanke crossed from the right corner to Watts in the box to tie the match back up at 1-1.
 
Kansas took the edge at the 66:53 mark. Montelene Dymond played a deflection off a Rambler in the box for the game winner. Klanke (80') and Magali Gagné (87') would tally two more before time expired. Jayhawks win, 4-1.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Cassidy led Loyola with two shots on goal putting one away for the lone Rambler goal. It marks the 11^th goal of her career.
- Jaimee Cibulka and Ella Skelton put one shot on target each.
- Alaina Abel returned to the starting line-up. She was one of five Ramblers to play a complete game.
- Kansas out-shot Loyola, 22-8. The Jayhawks led in shots on goal, 10-4.
- Lipkens logged a full 90 minutes in goal. She made a season-high six saves.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers hit the road for a two-game trip next week. First, Loyola will play at Toledo on Aug. 24. Kickoff is 6 p.m. CT.