Loyola Breezes By Albany In Chicago Classic Finale, 3-0

Ramblers turn attention to NIU Adidas Invitational next weekend

 

In Short…

Loyola used a three-goal outburst in the second half to down Albany, 3-0, this afternoon in the finale of the 2016 Chicago Classic at Loyola Soccer Park.  The Ramblers move to 3-0-0 on the season with the victory, while the Great Danes now sit at 1-2-1.

 

Coach Jones’ Thoughts…

“I thought we played well, especially in the second half. Friday-Sunday swings are always difficult.  The guys brought the energy for the first 30 minutes of the first half.  We dropped off a little bit in the last 15 but in the second half I think we played really well and scored three really good goals.  We’ve been working on some things in training that we need to get better at and they were executed today so I’m very proud of the guys.”

 

How It Happened

As was the case in Friday’s win over Northern Kentucky, Loyola wasted little time in looking to jump in front.  Redshirt senior Ryan Howe split a pair of Albany defenders just 78 seconds in as he raced into the box before having his shot parried away by Danny Vitiello, the Albany goalkeeper.  The Rockford, Ill. product found himself back in the mix just over five minutes later when he connected with sophomore Alec Lasinski, only for his attempt to ring off the crossbar.

 

After a torrid start, both teams struggled to break down the other in the final third as the half progressed.  The Great Danes had a pair of quality chances just before halftime.  Reid Conde headed just wide of goal off of a corner kick before a Daniel Krutzen free kick missed at the far post as the two teams headed to halftime knotted up at 0-0.

 

Howe looked to spark the Loyola attack following the intermission.  A long service from senior Kirill Likhovid connected with the redshirt senior in the 49^th minute.  After having his initial attempt turned away by Vitiello, Howe collected the rebound and slotted it home at the far post to put Loyola in front, 1-0.

 

The sophomore duo of Lasinski and Ryan Walker provided Loyola with a pair of insurance goals in short order during the final 20 minutes of regulation.  In the 72^nd minute, junior Brody Kraussel worked his way down the right side before sending a cross into the box that connected with a leaping Lasinski who headed right past Vitiello to double the advantage for the home side, 2-0.  Less than three minutes later, Kraussel again sparked an attack as he connected with Walker inside the box.  The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native fired a low blast that bounced off the far post and in to seal a 3-0 victory for the Maroon & Gold.

 

Looking At The Numbers

- Today marked Loyola’s second three-goal output of the season following a 3-2 overtime win against Valparaiso back on Aug. 27.

- Howe, who missed all of 2015 due to injury, netted his first goal since Sept. 27, 2014 this afternoon.

- For the second time in as many games, Loyola held a sizeable advantage in shots, 17-4, as it placed a season-best 10 attempts on target.

- Redshirt junior goalkeeper Andrew Chekadanov collected one save in goal en route to posting his second clean sheet in as many games.  Loyola has now held opponents scoreless for 194 consecutive minutes.

- For their efforts this weekend, Howe, redshirt sophomore Grant Stoneman and sophomore Fabian Lifka were all named to the Chicago Classic All-Tournament Team.

- By virtue of today’s result, Loyola is off to its first 3-0-0 start since the 2014 season.

 

Up Next

Loyola heads to DeKalb, Ill. next weekend where it will take part in the NIU Adidas Invitational.  The Ramblers will open play on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. against No. 18 Utah Valley before taking on Binghamton in an 11 a.m. Sunday matinee.

 

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