Ramblers Settle For 1-1 Draw At Eastern Michigan

Katie Grall scores first goal of the season

 

In Short…

A goal in the 32^nd minute from junior Katie Grall was cancelled out by a second-half strike from Ellie Tillar as the Loyola University Chicago women’s soccer team played to a 1-1 draw in double overtime today with Eastern Michigan.  Today’s result from Scicluna Field in Ypsilanti, Mich. sees the Ramblers move to 0-3-2 on the season, while the Eagles now sit at 1-2-2.

 

Coach Bimbi’s Thoughts…

“It was a hard fought game today.  We’re learning some valuable lessons that will help us when we get into conference play.  When you have a team down, you have to put them away.  That takes concentration for a full 90 minutes and a total team effort.”

 

How It Happened

Loyola looked to take control of the game early on this afternoon as it generated a corner kick in the second minute that failed to produce a chance.  Eastern Michigan quickly answered back when Peyton Davis forced the first save of the day out of junior goalkeeper Maddie Ford in the sixth minute.

 

With both sides struggling for opportunities as the half wore on, the Ramblers cashed in just under 15 minutes before halftime.  A free kick from sophomore Taylor Lambouris found its way to the feet of Grall.  The Waukesha, Wis. product calmly guided the service past Kaylin Williams, the Eastern Michigan netminder, to give Loyola a 1-0 lead that it would take to the intermission.

 

The Maroon & Gold had a great chance to double their advantage only five minutes into the second stanza.  Williams denied a blast by sophomore Jenna Szczesny before turning away freshman Aleksa Tataryn’s try on the ensuing rebound. 

 

Ford kept the lead at 1-0 in the 68^th minute when she saved a shot from Tillar as Eastern Michigan began to amp up its attack.  The Bloomfield Hills, Mich. product was unable to do the same nine minutes after as Tillar netted the equalizer via a free kick by Rachel Washburn to knot the game up at 1-1 and force overtime.

 

Loyola found itself pinned back for most of the extra sessions.  Tillar and Davis each fired wide of goal during the first overtime.  Ford was called into action twice during the second overtime.  The junior denied Madison Hirsch in the 110^th minute before collecting Jennifer Bentley’s last-ditch try as time expired.

 

Looking At The Numbers

- Grall’s tally in the 32^nd minute was her first of the season and fifth of her Loyola career.

- Following today’s contest, three different Ramblers have found the back of the net this season.

- Ford stopped five shots this afternoon, tying her season-high in the category.

- Despite allowing the Eagles 24 shots on the afternoon, Loyola limited the hosts to only six attempts on target.

 

Up Next

Loyola returns home on Friday evening to host the Western Michigan Broncos.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Loyola Soccer Park.