Women’s soccer draws even with Rhode Island University

First half action saw Loyola women’s soccer draw at one against Rhode Island University Oct. 4.

Loyola started the game on the front foot, \when first-year midfielder and forward Addison Schaffer took a shot that prompted a corner kick in the second minute. Three minutes later, Loyola was awarded another corner following an effort from second-year forward Ava Fleming.

In the ninth minute, a Rhode Island attack was brought back for offsides and six minutes later they earned a corner but failed to yield a shot. Fleming recorded her second shot of the day in the 20th minute, resulting in an attempt that went high.

The Ramblers broke through in the 29th minute when fifth-year defender Emily Roberts found the back of the goal to net her first career goal. It was assisted by fourth-year forward and midfielder Zoe Hevey.

Hevey got a shot on goal of her own in the 33rd minute, but it was met at the bottom center of the goal by Rhode Island’s fourth-year goalkeeper Dani Eden.

In the 38th minute, Rhode Island leveled the score at one through fourth-year defender Jill Rosenfeld, assisted by fourth-year forward Lauren MacDonald.

Rhode Island’s third-year midfielder Basie Shannon was the first name in the book when she was given a yellow card for unsporting behavior in the 40th minute. Immediately after, a Loyola attack was pulled back for offsides, and a shot from Rams third-year midfielder Kyra Samalonis was saved in the bottom center of goal by fourth-year goalkeeper Allison Deardorff.

Loyola was caught offside again in the 42nd, and two minutes later a shot from Rams fourth-year forward Nicolasa Jacobs missed high and to the left to close out the half.

Schaffer opened the second half with a shot towards the lower left part of the net, which was saved by Eden and resulted in a Loyola corner. Robert had a go in the 50th minute, sending her shot high and left of the goal.

The Ramblers had two corner kicks in quick succession in the 54th minute, but neither produced anything.

In the 58th minute, fourth-year midfielder Maggie Schmidt let fly an effort that missed wide to the right and a minute later, Fleming had a shot saved by Eden at the center of the goal. A Loyola corner in the 62nd minute was followed by an off-target shot from fifth-year forward and midfielder Mia Lanni.

Jacobs picked up a yellow for unsporting behavior in the 64th minute. In the 65th and 74th minutes, Loyola were given corners, but no shot came from either. 

Loyola was pulled back twice more for offsides, but in the 80th minute they registered another shot when first-year defender Sarah Collins’ attempt missed high, earning the Ramblers a corner. 

Third-year midfielder Lydia Case had a go at goal in the 81st minute, but her shot was saved by Eden at the bottom left of the net. She tried again in the 85th, but this time it was claimed at the top of the goal.

The Ramblers piled on the pressure in the final minutes of the match. They took corner kicks in the 89th and 90th minutes, but they were unable to go in front, ending the game at one.

Head Coach Jon Sandoval had a positive outlook about his team’s performance.

“We had them pinned for most of the second half and were a little unlucky to not find the winner,” Sandoval said. “I’m excited to see this group continue to progress down the stretch.”

Loyola’s record moves to 4-2-6 with a conference record of 1-0-3, remaining undefeated in conference play.

The Ramblers next match is an Atlantic 10 matchup at Loyola Soccer Park against Saint Louis University Oct 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the match can be streamed on ESPN+.