VERMILLION, S.D. (August 23, 2013) – A goal in the 80^th minute by senior Tricia Stonebraker helped the Loyola University Chicago women’s soccer team earn a well-deserved point on the road this afternoon as they battled to a 1-1 draw with the University of South Dakota at the USD Soccer Complex in Vermillion, S.D. 

“Today we learned a valuable lesson,” said Loyola head coach Barry Bimbi.  “We played well in the first half but in the second half, we played well and executed.  I’m not thrilled that we gave up a goal off of a set piece but that’s always a possibility, especially with a lot of new starters.  The staff and I are very proud of the way the girls battled back to tie the game and how they played until the final whistle.”

Both teams began the game cautiously, trading possession in the middle third of the field for the first fifteen minutes.  Loyola would begin to establish itself in the Coyotes third as the half progressed. Sophomore Kristin Rodriguez would register Loyola’s lone shot on goal in the first half off a corner from freshman Shelby Koch.

Junior goalkeeper Monica Gonyo would be tested in the 32^nd minute by the Coyotes’ Teagan Eberle but tipped the ball over the crossbar.  Rebecca Sparkman would cash in off the ensuing corner, sneaking her attempt by the Rambler netminder to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead in the 32^nd minute.  Gonyo would again be called upon in the final minutes of the first half but was up to the challenge as she made a fine save to keep Loyola within one.

The Ramblers came out in the second half with renewed energy.  A 63^rd minute caution to the Coyotes Taylor Nivala led to a sequence of opportunities for Loyola with the best of the bunch falling to Stonebraker, who fired just wide of the far post.

It would only be a matter of time before the Anchorage, Alaska native brought the game level.  With the Ramblers mounting pressure, junior Monika Lee served a ball in from the left side the found Stonebraker who wouldn’t let the opportunity pass her by as she slammed the ball past South Dakota goalkeeper Mackenzie Viktor to get Loyola into the scoring column.

“I definitely feel like I can attribute that goal to the hard work that we’ve all been putting in during practice,” commented Stonebraker.  “Once I had the ball at my feet, I was able to relax and settle before the shot.  Obviously, it would’ve been nice to get a win but a draw is still a good start to the season.  Now we need to keep working and get ready for Sunday.”

The overtime sessions would feature a variety of chances for the Ramblers, who were the aggressors during the extra twenty minutes.  Lee managed to get off a contested shot but Viktor was up to the task in net as both teams settled for a point.

Loyola will now turn its attention up Interstate 29 for a battle with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Sunday afternoon.  Kickoff is scheduled for noon in Brookings.

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