Pistorius Records First Goal with Loyola in 1-0 Win Against Illinois State

The Loyola Women’s soccer team defeated Illinois State University 1-0 Sept. 9 in Normal, Ill. Fourth-year forward Molly Pistorius scored the lone goal of the match and the first of her Loyola career.

The first half started with fouls on fourth-year defender Emily Roberts and third-year midfielder Maggie Schmidt. A free kick was awarded to the Redbirds’ fourth-year midfielder and defender Abby Hall, but Illinois State couldn’t gain any ground against Loyola defenders. 

A shot in the sixth minute by Pistorius dribbled towards the center of the net, but it was scooped up by Redbird redshirt second-year goalkeeper Madi Valenti. A corner in the 11th minute for Illinois State resulted in a header by Hall, but it went wide right of the goal. 

First-year defender Abby Sudkamp received a foul, but nothing resulted from the free kick for the Redbirds. Consecutive corners were awarded to Loyola in the 14th and 15th minutes — Roberts kicked the first over the crossbar, and the second was headed out by an Illinois State defender. 

An offside call against Illinois State in the 19th minute gave the Ramblers a chance to score. Back-to-back shots by Hevey — both to the bottom left corner — were smothered by Valenti. The Redbirds took the rebound downfield, but a foul on Illinois State redshirt third-year midfielder Sammi Cenek ended their possession. 

Five more fouls were called in the next four minutes — one on Redbirds’ first-year forward Rylann Law, two on fourth-year forward and midfielder Ella Skelton, one on second-year midfielder Olivia Anderson and one on Schmidt. 

The free kick off Anderson’s foul was awarded to Law, whose shot sailed to the top left of the net but was snagged by redshirt second-year goalkeeper Allison Deardorff. 

In the 29th minute, Anderson dribbled the ball into Redbird territory, aiming a shot at the bottom right corner, only for it to be saved by Valenti. Another shot from Law in the 30th minute soared over the crossbar. 

Two fouls on Illinois State third-year defender Ava Watson and one on fourth-year defender Sophia Skoubis in the 39th minute gave Loyola possession, but the team couldn’t gain momentum before the half ended in a 0-0 draw. 

The second half started with an Illinois State corner blocked by a Loyola defender, followed by a corner for Loyola in the 48th minute, which was headed out by an Illinois State defender. 

A foul on Redbirds graduate defender Cyerra Hibbert led to a shot by second-year defender and midfielder Chloe Cline, which veered right of the net. A corner for Illinois State in the 56th minute resulted in a shot by Law to the center of the net, but it was saved by Deardorff. 

In the 60th minute, redshirt second-year forward Emily Rossi got a shot on goal, but it was scooped up by Valenti. Consecutive fouls on Redbirds’ second-year forward Eve Gricius and Law kept the ball in Loyola’s possession. 

Loyola was awarded a corner in the 65th minute, but it was kicked out by a Redbirds defender. A foul on Rossi gave Illinois State control over the ball, but they didn’t keep it long before Hall received a yellow card for unsporting in the 68th minute. Rossi’s shot a minute later swerved left of the net. 

In the 72nd minute, a through ball across the field from Hevey put Pistorius into position for a shot which glided into the back of the net, giving the Ramblers a 1-0 lead. 

Head coach Jon Sandoval said the team wasn’t operating at its best but are grateful to come out on top. 

“Credit to ISU,” Sandoval said, “I thought they made things very difficult for us. We are happy that Molly was able to get her first goal. We have to regroup on Tuesday and start the week off with a sharp training session.”

In the 77th minute, fourth-year midfielder and forward Angelina Perritano and Pistorius were called for fouls. Two more fouls were called on Illinois State’s Cline and second-year defender Rylie Monahan. 

An offside call on Illinois State followed Roberts receiving a yellow card in the 85th minute for unsporting. 

With one minute left on the clock, Rossi kicked the ball towards the middle of the net, but the shot was saved by Valenti, ending the match 1-0 in favor of Loyola.

The Ramblers continue their road trip up to Ypsilanti, Mich. Sept. 11 to play Eastern Michigan University. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.