Holy Schmidt! Ramblers battle to 1-1 draw with Saint Louis

Loyola women’s soccer shared the spoils with Saint Louis University Oct. 11, finding a quick answer after conceding a penalty.

The Billikens had the first attack of the half in the fourth minute, fourth-year midfielder Lucie Schwartz having her shot blocked by third-year defender Catherine Cline. Saint Louis third-year forward Hope Kim had a go as well, with a looping shot deflecting up and out off the top right corner of the woodwork.

The Ramblers worked their way into the Saint Louis half in the tenth minute, but fourth-year forward and midfielder Zoe Hevey’s cross flew too close to the goal and was caught by Billikens second-year goalkeeper Pepper Escher.

In the 18th minute, Kim’s cross into the box was cut out by Cline and fell to fourth-year goalkeeper Allison Deardorff. First-year forward Leah Simpson took a contested shot but wasn’t able to get much behind it,Deardorff scooping it up before it went out of bounds.

The 27th minute saw a scare for the Ramblers as there was a review for a penalty. The game went on as the verdict was no penalty.

Cline got on the end of a freekick from fourth-year forward Emily Rossi in the 37th minute, but her effort missed just right of the net, catching the side netting. Three minutes later, Billikens third-year midfielder Ashley Miller dribbled through her defenders but couldn’t hit the ball with much conviction, sending it wide and to the right.

In the 43rd minute, Deardorff came out to claim a cross sent in by second-year midfielder and forward Caroline Chier. 

A minute later, Cline put a cross toward the Saint Louis goal that floated across goal and past the outstretched Escher, but nobody was there to meet it. Deardorff was fouled on a corner down the other end and the half ended in a scoreless deadlock.

In the 48th minute, a Saint Louis player took a tumble in the box after a clash. Following another review, a penalty was awarded. Fourth-year midfielder Lucie Schwartz stepped up to the spot and slotted home the opener for the Billikens.

Cline connected with Hevey’s freekick in the 53rd minute, but it caused no troubles for Escher. 

It didn’t take long for the Ramblers to find their equalizer as just a minute later, fourth-year midfielder Maggie Schmidt leapt to meet fifth-year defender Emily Robert’s cross, heading the ball past the reaching Escher. It was Schmidt’s third goal of the season.

A few minutes later, second-year forward Ava Fleming lifted a shot towards the St. Lewis net, but it flew wide and right.

In the 58th minute, Schwartz sent a shot flying past the top right corner of the net, resulting in a goal kick. Billikins second-year forward Addison Stanciak had a go in the 62nd minute, but her shot was blocked on its way toward goal.

In the 67th minute, third-year midfielder Lydia Case was given a yellow card for a tackle on first-year forward and midfielder Emma Naftanel.

Three minutes later, fourth-year forward Emily Rossi’s corner was met by Billikens fifth-year defender Olivia Beam, but her header bounced right of the goal and out of bounds.

In the 76th minute, Billikens fourth-year defender Caroline Fowlkes let loose a shot, but Deardorff caught it easily in the middle of the net. Saint Louis fourth-year midfielder Jeanette Fieldsend also had a go, but her shot dribbled right to the waiting Deardorff.

A minute later, Hevey pushed past her defender and put a ball across goal, but Escher jumped out and grabbed the cross before it could pose any danger.

Loyola had two attempts following first-year midfielder Addison Schaffer’s corner, but both were cleared by Saint Louis.

Second-year forward Adee Broesder floated a cross toward Deardorff’s net, but it was easily caught out of the air. Miller posed the last threat for the Bilikins, but Deardorff dropped to the floor and met her shot.

There was a penalty check for a possible foul on Hevey when she got taken out by Escher just within the box in the 89th minute, but the call was eventually dismissed as the game ended at one goal apiece.

Head Coach Jon Sandoval credited his team’s mentality for finding a quick equalizer.

“I think in that moment, just because the confidence is so tight this year, their back was against the wall, they chose to fight their way out of it.” Sandoval said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them for doing that.”

The Ramblers will play next Oct. 18, at home against Duquesne University, with kickoff scheduled at 1 p.m. Streaming is available on ESPN+.