Women’s Soccer Shutsout St. Bonaventure 4-0

Loyola women’s soccer handily defeated St. Bonaventure University 4-0 at Hoyne Field Oct. 27. Hoyne’s stands were full of fans looking to support the fourth-years and graduates on Senior Day. 

Ramblers opened the match with a cross from graduate midfielder Olivia Rhodes into St. Bonaventure’s box, where it was cleared away by Bonnie defenders. 

Four minutes later, St. Bonaventure second-year midfielder Mika Marolly received a long ball from her defense. Marolly ended up in an encounter with redshirt first-year goalkeeper Allison Deardorff, but Deardoff blocked the shot. 

Nine minutes into the game, second-year forward Jadyn Harris dribbled her way down the field and delivered a strong cross to redshirt first-year forward Emily Rossi. The ball was blocked and booted back up the pitch by the Bonnies. 

The 10th minute included shots from St. Bonaventure first-year midfielder and forward Torrie Grant-Clavijo which went over the net. Grant-Clavijo shot again one minute later, but the ball remained on the ground and Deardorff was able to collect it. 

Loyola managed to get a shot off in the 12th minute from Rhodes, but the ball went well over the goal and out of bounds. 

Fourth-year midfielder Jaimee Cibulka broke the match open in the 18th minute. After receiving a pass into the box from Harris, Cibulka connected with the ball, placing it securely in the right corner of the net for her fourth goal of the season. 

In the 24th minute the Bonnies graduate midfielder Thea Juul attempted a shot within the box, but the ball was caught by Deardorff. 

11 minutes later the Ramblers’ first-year forward Jocelyn Leigh made a strong cross from the corner of the Bonnie’s side, but fourth-year goalkeeper Chiara Gottinger snatched the ball from the air. 

The first half ended with a long ball for the Bonnies into the Ramblers’ box, but Deardorff was able to halt the attempt.

In the 52nd minute, Hevey scored her second goal of the season. After dribbling up the field and getting past two Bonnie defenders, she shot the ball into the corner of the goal, putting the Ramblers up 2-0. 

Just nine minutes later, Loyola put another goal into the back of the Bonnies net. Fourth-year midfielder Taylor Harrison received a pass from second-year midfielder Maggie Schmidt and was able to deliver a simple finish across the line. 

In the 72nd minute, the Bonnies pushed forward with a cross into Loyola’s box from third-year St. Bonaventure defender Hannah Walker, which was knocked away by Loyola defenders.

The final goal of the game came in the 82nd minute, when a combination of passes from fourth-year defender Emma Irle and second-year midfielder Ansley Cryan got the ball near the corner of the box, where second-year forward Julia Liguore was able to score. 

The last minute saw fourth-year substitute goalkeeper Emma Guthrie make a save after a far shot from Walker, who was near the midway line. 

Loyola’s offensive pressure of through balls and crosses forced Gottinger to make 10 saves during the match.

Crosses were a large factor in the Ramblers’ win, according to interim head coach Angela Staveskie. 

“We worked on it a lot,” Staveski said. “We recognize that’s a big opportunity and sometimes a missed opportunity earlier in the season where we’re not getting those crosses off or maybe taking a few too many touches.” 

“I’m really proud of our group for having a lot of really good moments of playing Loyola soccer,” Staveskie said. “To have this opportunity to play our last regular season game at home is really special.” 

Loyola had 31 total shots — the highest this season — throughout the match, compared to St. Bonaventure’s eight. 

The Ramblers enter the Atlantic 10 conference championships as the sixth seed. They will travel to Amherst, MA and face off against the University of Massachusetts Nov. 2 at 12pm. Streaming will be available on ESPN+.