Men’s Soccer Scores Last-Minute Equalizer Against George Washington

Loyola men’s soccer ended in a draw against George Washington University Sept. 26 at Hoyne Field after first-year defender Lucas Webb scored an equalizer in the final seconds of the match. The draw moved the Ramblers to 5-2-3 overall and 0-1-1 in Atlantic 10 play. 

George Washington created the first opportunity of the match in the ninth minute when Revolutionaries fifth-year midfielder Samy Kolby sent a shot over the goal. 

The Revolutionaries continued to pressure Loyola midway through the opening half. Following a corner in the 18th minute, George Washington’s third-year defender Jake Poole recorded a shot on goal that was saved by third-year goalkeeper Maxwell Ionita before second-year midfielder Ben McGovern sent another shot wide left. 

Loyola struggled to create opportunities early but began finding chances as the half progressed. Third-year midfielder Luka Ivancic recorded the Ramblers’ first shot in the 35th minute, sending his attempt wide on the right.

First-year midfielder Nico Kehayov followed with an attempt wide on the left three minutes later. The Revolutionaries responded in the 41st minute when George Washington’s first-year forward Joe Brayson put a shot toward the top of the goal, forcing Ionita to make the save.

The Ramblers added two more opportunities before halftime. First-year midfielder Mateusz Drazek sent an attempt wide left in the 43rd minute before fifth-year midfielder Seth Stewart recorded Loyola’s final shot of the half.

Loyola came out of halftime on the attack. Ivancic sent a shot over the goal in the 49th minute before the Ramblers earned their first corner less than a minute later.

Fourth-year midfielder Jack McFeely followed with two opportunities, including an attempt in the 51st minute that went over the goal. Loyola continued to generate chances as the half progressed, with Ivancic and Webb each adding shots which fell off target. 

George Washington broke the scoreless tie in the 74th minute when Revolutionaries fifth-year forward Tommaso Lami found the back of the net off a cross from Poole, putting the Revolutionaries ahead 1-0. 

The Ramblers quickly increased their pressure in search of an equalizer. Stewart sent a shot toward the top right corner in the 77th minute, but George Washington’s second-year goalkeeper Diego Pena made the save.

Kehayov followed with an attempt over the top left of the goal while McFeely added another shot less than a minute later. Stewart created another opportunity in the 81st minute, but his attempt went wide on the right.

George Washington maintained its one-goal advantage as the match entered its final minutes. Loyola continued pushing numbers forward, but multiple offsides calls prevented the Ramblers from creating a clean opportunity.

With less than a minute remaining, Loyola earned a corner kick and received one final chance to equalize. Ivancic found Webb, who netted a shot in the 90th minute with just 16 seconds remaining to tie the match at one.

Neither side had enough time to create another opportunity, ending the match in a draw. Loyola finished with 15 shots compared to George Washington’s 13, with 11 of the Ramblers’ attempts coming in the second half.  

Despite conceding the opening goal, Head Coach Kevin Robson praised the Ramblers’ response and their ability to stay connected during the match.

“They worked on a lot of things that we talked about this week,” Robson said. “They were connected in our press and created chances with our defense. This is a team that can keep growing throughout the season. Don’t count them out”

The Ramblers will continue on the road to Winston-Salem, N.C., for a non-conference matchup, facing Wake Forest University Sept. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.