Towson, Md. (September 14, 2014) -- Despite a number of second-half chances, the Mount women's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to Loyola on Sunday in the final game of the Battle of Baltimore at the Tiger Soccer Complex on the campus of Towson University. Center backs Nicole Vallely and Cia Makrigiorgos, who anchored the Mount's defense, earned spots on the All-Tournament team. 

The Mount (0-9) outshot the Greyhounds (4-4) by a 9-5 margin over the final 45 minutes, but was never able to break through to cut into the deficit. Loyola picked up first-half goals from Maddie Boccio and Jessica Van Dyke for the win. 

Junior midfielder Emma Blair led the Mount's offensive push with three shots, including one that hit the post, while Boccio and Charlotte Miller registered three shots apiece for the Greyhounds. For the game, the Mount fired a season-high 11 shots. 

Loyola broke into the scoring column in the eighth minute. Rosy Hayes took a shot from the right side that forced Mount goalkeeper Rachel Bourne to make a diving fingertip save to keep out. The rebound, however, dropped to Boccio who finished from inside the six-yard box to take a 1-0 advantage.

After a Mount clearing attempt was blocked in the 20th minute, Van Dyke raced past the Mount's back line, corralled the ball and ripped a shot to the left side netting on a breakaway for a 2-0 lead. 

The Mount, which managed two shots in the opening half, generated a scoring opportunity with just over nine minutes left before halftime. Junior Brinley Watts drove a free kick into the box that freshman Jordan Fine headed just wide of the left post. 

The Mount found its offensive rhythm in the second half and was able to string together more passes. 

In a frantic sequence with 31 minutes remaining in regulation, the Mount came within inches of cutting Loyola's lead in half. Alicia Mirando began the offensive attack with a shot from the right side that Loyola goalkeeper Colleen Folan pushed to the far post. Blair collected the rebound 12 yards from the goal on the left side and unleashed a shot that rang off the left post and rolled across the face of the goal. Cara Deegan followed with a sliding attempt from the right side, but Folan was able to recover for another save.  

With 14 minutes left in regulation, Mount's second-half goalkeeper Vicky Cocozza stopped a pair of chances off a breakaway by Van Dyke. After stopping the initial attempt, Cocozza stood up to the test of Van Dyke's rebound attempt.

In goal, Folan was called upon to make three saves for the shutout for Loyola, while Bourne stopped two first-half shots and Cocozza made three saves in the second half for the Mount. 

The Mountaineers will look to respond with a home game at Waldron Family Stadium versus Howard on Friday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. 

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13