Women’s Soccer Draws 1-1 with Rhode Island on Senior Night

Loyola women’s soccer drew in their home finale against the University of Rhode Island 1-1, thanks to a second-half goal from third-year forward Zoe Hevey which provided all they needed to stay even.

Loyola opened the match with energy and composure as Rhode Island came out with immediate offensive pressure. In the fourth minute, redshirt second-year goalkeeper Allison Deardorff made a save down the middle after a shot from Rhode Island fourth-year forward McKenna Sylvester.

The Ramblers found their first opportunity in the seventh minute when third-year forward Jadyn Harris fired a shot from distance which sailed over the bar. The Rams countered in the 10th minute when Rhode Island’s third-year forward Lauren Macdonald took a shot to the center that was comfortably saved by Deardorff.

In the following minutes, Loyola faced offensive pressure as Rhode Island generated multiple opportunities in their defensive third. Around the 20th minute, Rhode Island’s graduate midfielder Mie Carstensen attempted a shot towards the bottom left of the net, which was saved by Deardorff. 

Loyola responded by generating chances through possession in the midfield. In the 31st minute, first-year defender Abby Sudkamp fired the Ramblers’ first shot on goal, which was saved down the middle by Rhode Island’s third-year goalkeeper Dani Eden. 

The Ramblers sustained pressure through the late stages of the half. In the 34th minute, fourth-year midfielder Angelina Perritano tested Eden with a shot to the bottom left which was saved. Five minutes later, Hevey nearly converted when her strike from distance deflected off the woodwork.

Rhode Island pushed forward, creating opportunities against the Ramblers’ defense, which cleared multiple chances, sending the match into halftime tied 0-0.

Three minutes into the second half, the Ramblers broke through when Hevey finished off a cross from fourth-year forward Ella Skelton, putting Loyola ahead 1-0. 

In the 56th minute, Perritano was called for a foul on MacDonald in Loyola’s box for pushing, handing Rhode Island a penalty kick. MacDonald stepped up and converted for the Rams, tying the match at one. Loyola responded, threatening the Rams’ defense, where Harris fired two shots which went wide and just over the bar.

In the 70th minute, redshirt second-year forward Emily Rossi won the ball in the Rams’ defensive third and took a shot to the center which was saved by Eden. Shortly after, Rhode Island responded when third-year Rams midfielder Nika Jacobs challenged Deardorff, who saved a shot down the middle.

Trying to find a second goal, the Ramblers pressed forward with urgency. In the 80th minute, third-year midfielder Maggie Schmidt got the ball at the top of the box and fired a shot which went just wide. Hevey maintained the pressure and took a shot that skimmed the woodwork in the 83rd minute.

Loyola continued to look to break the deadlock in the final minutes. In the 89th minute, Schmidt produced a pair of shots that were saved in the center of the net by Eden. The match ended 1-1 after disciplined defensive efforts from both sides.

After a hard-fought draw, head coach Jon Sandoval stressed the importance of maintaining composure as the team heads into the end of conference play.

“We just got to have a short-term memory from tonight,” Sandoval said. “It just wasn’t to the quality that we’ve had the last few games. So once you set the standard, and you have the expectation of what that standard is, you’re expecting it every night.”

The Ramblers will conclude Atlantic 10 play on the road against Saint Louis Oct. 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 pm, and will be streamed on ESPN+.